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BV  824  ,B8x 

Boyd,  James  R.  1804-1890 

The  communion  table 


I^k  l^ommunion  IiibU, 


THE  APPROACH— THE  SERVICE— THE 
RETROSPECT. 


THIS  DO  IN  REMEMBRANCE  OP  ME. — Luke  Xxii.  19. 


BY  THB 

Rev.  JAMES  R.  BOYD,  D.D. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PKESBYTERIAN  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION, 

1334  Chestnut  Street. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1866, 

Br  James  R.  Boyd, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States 

for  the  Northern  District  of  New  York. 


^0  m^  "gtUvtA  §m^Mm, 

AX  "WHOSE  EEQTTEST  AND  POE  WHOSB  BENEyiT^  PEIMAEILTi 

IT  WAS  UlfDKBTAKEN  AITO  COMPOBKD  ; 

WITH  EARNEST  PRATEK  TO  THE  GREAT  REDEEMER, 

«^0<»»  IT-OBT  H\8  BIEIT  BrPEBJfBLT  SOUGHT 

THAT   rr   WAY   RE  INSTBUCTIVE  AND  TTBEmi 

TO  MANY  0IHEE8,  AS  "W^ELL  AS  TO  THEM, 

THIS  LITTLE  VOLUME  IS  INSCRIBED 

BT  TBEIK  AFFECTIONATE 

FATHER. 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTE, 


Tt  is  the  opinion  of  the  writer,  that  the  spirit- 
ual progress  of  the  Church  has  much  to  do  with 
the  appropriate  observance  of  the  grand  and  sol- 
emn ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper;  and  also, 
that,  as  a  general  ftict,  the  preparation  made  for 
it  is  far  too  slight,  in  respect  to  reading,  medita- 
tion, and  prayer.  Hence  the  benefits  which  it 
was  designed,  and  is  adapted  to  convey,  are  expe- 
rienced in  only  a  modera^te  degree,  and  the  best 
opportunity  for  spiritual  growth  and  enjoyment, 
is  thus,  in  too  many  cases,  sadly  neglected  and 
nearly  thrown  away. 

It  seems,  therefore,  very  desirable  that  every 
professing  Christian  should  not  only  possess,  but 
conscientiously  and  faithfully  peruse,  before  each 
observance,  some  approved  treatise,  of  moderate 
dimensions,  relating  to  the  Communion,  so  as  to 
comprehend  the  more  clearly  its  spiritual  import 
and  lessons,  and  to  experience  in  larger  measure 
its  surpassing  benefits. 

This  lemark  applies  with  special  force  to  those 
■Vi'lio  are  about  to  enter,  or  have  recently  entered, 
the  Christian  Church.  Instruction,  counsel, 
guidance,  and  impulse,  are  needed  to  prepare  their 
minds  and  hearts  for  deriving  signal  benefit  from 


6  INTRODUCTORY  NOTE. 


this  most  import<ant  ordinance.  And  with  respect 
to  mature  Christians,  it  is  not  to  be  denied,  that 
even  they  are  not  beyond  the  need  of  having  their 
"  pure  minds  stirred  up  by  way  of  remembrance," 
in  preparation  for  it,  as  the  apostle  Peter  speaks 
concerning  the  intention  and  the  necessity  of  the 
Epistles  he  had  written.  2  Pet.  1 :  12, 13  ;  3:1,  2. 

It  is  by  no  means  supposed,  or  claimed,  that 
the  little  work  here  offered,  is  the  best  that  can 
be  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Communicant ;  but 
it  is  humbly  conceived,  that  the  novelty  of  its 
plan,  and  the  large  interspersion  of  eminently 
devotional  Poetry  (by  which  it  is  favorably  distin- 
guished from  most  of  the  works  on  the  subject), 
may  serve  not  only  to  render  it  attractive,  but  to 
adapt  it  to  arouse  both  the  intellect  and  the  sensi- 
bilities to  a  fresh  appreciation  and  keen  enjoy- 
ment of  what  is  to  be  seen,  and  felt,  and  done,  at 
the  Communion  Table. 

The  writer  will  be  painfully  disappointed,  if 
this  work,  when  carefully  and  prayerfully  read, 
is  not  found,  in  every  case,  to  lead,  under  the 
divine  blessing,  to  a  state  of  mind  and  heart  in 
dutiful  and  delightful  correspondence  with  one  of 
the  last  and  most  tender  commands  of  the  great 
Founder  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  author  of 
our  salvation : —  "  Do  this  in  remembrance  op 

ME." 
Gexi'.va,  N.  Y. 


&0nt$vit%. 


PART  I. 

A   "WALK   TO   THE   COMMUNION   TABLE. 

Record  of  the  Original  Communion  Table 11 

Steps  towards  the  Communion  Table : 

FiBST  Step  :  Personal  Consecration  to  Christ 20 

Second  Step  :  Public  Profession  of  our  Faith  and 

Obedience 21 

Third  Step  :  Course  of  life  corresponding  to  such 

Profession 23 

FOTTRTH  Step  :  Reading  of  the  history  of  our  Sa- 
viour's last  hours  25 

Fifth  Step  :  Preparatory  Lecture,  and  Church 

Prayer  Meeting 28 

Sixth  Step  :  Self-examination  on  several  points.. 

1.  Am  I  a  Christian? 29 

2.  Do  I  renounce  whatever  Christ  disapproves  ?    31 

3.  Have  I  a  deep  sense  of  my  sins  and  defici- 
encies?     32 

4.  Do  I  understand  the  Nature  and  Design  of 
the  Lord's  Supper? ° 34 

5.  Why  should  I  go  to  the  Communion  Table  ?    48 
Seventh  Step  :  Adjustment   of  the  Mind   and 

Heart  to  the  great  occasion  ? 52 

Eighth  Step  :  Prayer  for  Preparation  to  meet  the 

Saviour gg 

PART  II. 

▼HAT  18  TO  BE  BEEN  AND  FELT  AND  DONE  AT  TEE  COilMUNION  TABLE. 

(1.)  Silent  Prayer 81 

(2.)  Deep  sense  of  Personal  Un worthiness 84 

(3.)  Meditations  during  the  Distribution  of  the 

Bread oa 


CONTENTS. 


PAoa 
(4.)  Meditations  during  the  Distribution  cf  the 

Cup  88 

(5.)  Brief  Review  of  the  Life  and  Sufferings  of 

Christ 92 

(6.)  Favorable  season  for  Intercessory  Prayer 93 

( 7.)  Remembrance  of  the  poor  of  Christ's  flock 94 

( 8.)  Praise  and  Thanlisgiving  for  the  benefits  of 

the  occasion 96 


PART  III. 

WHAT  IS   TO    BE    DONE    TTPOX    -VrUnDEAWING    FEOM    THE    COSIMUNION 

TABLE. 

Behaviour  on  retiring  from  the  Sanctuary 99 

Resort  to  one's  private  room  for  reflection  and 
devotion 102 

1.  Tlianksgiving  for  a  place  at  the  Communion 

Table 103 

2.  Consideration  of  obligations  to  the  Father,  and 

to  the  Son 105 

3.  Of  the  benefits  confirmed  and  assured  to  meat 

the  Lord's  Table 106 

4.  Review  of  Imperfections  and  Deficiencies 107 

5.  Reason  for  increased  efftort  to  crucify  the  flesh.  108 

6.  Counsel  for  all  times  of  Temptation 108 

7.  Special  occasion  for  now  guarding  against  Sa- 

tan and  the  World 109 

8.  Review  of  purposes  and  engagements  at  the 

Table Ill 

9.  Cultivation  of  brotherly  love,  and  of  love  to  all 

men 112 

10.  Exhortation  to  think  more  of  Heaven 114 

11.  The  time  to  prepare  for  a  subsequent  Commu- 

nion    115 

12.  Duty  ever  to  place  Christ  before  the  minds,  and 

to  commend  Him  to  the  reverential  regard 
of  our  fellow-men 115 

13.  Prayer  after  the  Communion 118 

Closing  Verses 122 


THE  FEAST. 


Love  strong  as  death,  nay  stronger, 
Love  mightier  than  the  grave. 

Broad  as  the  earth,  and  longer 
Than  ocean's  widest  wave  ; 

This  is  the  love  that  sought  us, 

This  is  the  love  that  bought  us, 

This  is  the  love  that  brought  us, 
To  gladdest  day  from  saddest  night. 
From  deepest  shame  to  glory  bright, 
From  depths  of  death  to  Hfe's  fair  height, 
From  darkness  to  the  joy  of  light. 

This  is  the  love  that  leadeth 
Us  to  his  Table  here; 

This  is  the  love  that  spreadeth 
For  us  this  royal  cheer. 

Bo^'AIl. 


A  WALK  TO  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE. 


"When  I  propose  a  walk  to  the  Com- 
munion Table,  you  will  readily  under 
stand  me  to  refer  to  that  Table  on  which, 
at  stated  times,  are  spread  the  simple 
but  affecting  memorials  of  Christ  cruci  • 
fied,  designed  to  perpetuate  among  his 
disciples  a  heartfelt  and  tender  regard 
to  his  Person,  to  his  offices  as  a  Saviour, 
and  to  all  his  injunctions  with  respect 
to  our  manner  of  life. 

The  original  Communion  Table,  was 
one  that  stood  in  a  certain  upper  room 
in  Jerusalem  more  than  eighteen  centu- 
ries ago,  and  had  just  been  employed 
for  the  last  celebration  of  the  Supper 
of  the  Passover  —  the  last  for  which 
there  was  any  necessity,  or  any  divine 
sanction. 


12  RECORD  OF  THE  ORIGINAL 

"  Then  came  the  day  of  unleavened 
bread,  when  the  passover  [  lamb  ]  must 
be  killed.  And  Jesus  sent  Peter  and 
John,  saying,  Go  and  prepare  us  the 
the  passover,  that  we  may  eat.  And 
they  said  unto  him,  Where  wilt  thou 
that  w^e  prepare  ?  And  he  said  unto 
them,  Behold  when  ye  are  entered  into 
the  city,  there  shall  a  man  meet  you 
bearing  a  pitcher  of  water  ;  follow  him 
into  the  house  where  he  entereth  in. 
And  ye  shall  say  to  the  good  man  [the 
master]  of  the  house.  The  Master  [the 
Teacher]  saith  unto  thee,  Where  is  the 
guest-chamber  where  I  shall  eat  the 
passover  with  my  disciples  ?  And  he 
shall  show  you  a  large  upper  room  fur- 
nished ;  there  make  ready.  And  they 
went,  and  found  as  he  had  said  unto 
them  ;  and  they  made  ready  the  pass- 
over." 

"  And  he  said  unto  them,  With  desire 
I  have  desired  to  eat  this  passover  with 


VOMMUNION  TABLE.  13 

yoii  before  I  siiiFer.  For  I  say  unto 
you,  I  will  not  any  more  eat  thereof, 
until  it  be  fulfilled  in  the  kino^clom  of 
God" — in  the  tragic  event  about  to  take 
place  —  the  ofiering  up  of  myself,  the 
antitype  of  the  Passover-lamb,  as  the 
Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of 
the  world.  "  And  he  took  the  cup  and 
gave  thanks  "  (for  that  signal  deliver- 
ance of  the  first-born  of  the  Israelites 
from  the  wrath  of  God,  when  his  de- 
stroying angel  passed  over  the  houses 
on  whose  door  posts  the  blood  of  the 
Paschal  lamb  had  been  sprinkled)  "  and 
said,  Take  this  and  divide  it  amonof 
yourselves,  for  I  say  unto  you  that  I 
will  not  drink  of  the  fruit  of  the  vine 
until  the  kingdom  of  God  shall  come" 
(Luke  xxii),  and  thus  the  typical  design 
of  the  Passover  be  fulfilled. 

By  a  comparison  of  accounts,  in  the 
several  Evangelists,  of  the  transaction 
now  going  on  in  that  upper  room  at 


14  RECORD  OF  THE  ORIGINAL 

Jerusalem,  it  would  appear  that  there 
arose,  even  then,  among  the  disciples, 
an  unseemly  contention,  as  to  which  of 
them  should  hold  the  highest  place  in 
that  kingdom  of  which  their  Master  had 
just  spoken,  and  which  they  seem  to 
have  regarded  as  an  earthly  kingdom, 
which  he  was  to  assume  after  his  pre- 
dicted sufferings  had  been  endured.  To 
eradicate  from  their  hearts  all  such 
ambitious  desires,  and  to  endue  them 
with  humility  like  his  own,  the  conde- 
scending Master  arose  from  the  table, 
laid  aside  his  upper  garments,  girded 
himself  with  a  towel,  poured  water  into 
a  basin,  and  proceeded  to  perform  the 
menial  office  of  washing  the  feet  of 
the  disciples,  (though  Peter  protested 
against  the  act),  and  then  explained  to 
them  the  lesson  of  mutual  service  and 
of  humbleness,  which  it  was  his  purpose 
thus  to  impress  upon  their  minds. 
The  Paschal  Supper  being  then  resu- 


COMMUNION  TABLE. 


15 


med,  our  Lord  proceeded  to  discourse 
to  them  upon  the  honors  which  they 
should  all  hereafter  share  with  him 
(Luke  22  :  28-30)  in  his  kingdom,  Judas 
only  excepted,  whose  approaching  trea- 
chery he  exposed  before  them  all.  He 
then  exhorts  them  (John  13  :  31-35)  to 
the  exercise  of  mutual  love;  gives  them 
warning  of  the  trials  that  are  at  hand, 
predicts  the  sad  event  of  his  denial  by 
Peter,  and  then,  just  as  they  had  finished 
the  Paschal  Supper,  he  took  bread  and 
having  given  thanks,  and  implored  the 
blessing  of  God  upon  it  for  the  new  and 
solemn  use  to  which  he  was  about  to 
apply  it  —  that  it  might  subserve  the 
high  purpose  of  securing  an  appropriate 
remembrance  of  himself  on  the  earth, 
after  his  departure  from  it  —  he  broke 
the  bread  in  pieces,  distributing  it 
among  his  disciples,  that  they  might 
with  grateful  reverence  eat  it  as  a  visible 
representation  of  his  body,  about  to  be 


16  RECORD  OF  THE  ORIGINAL 

bruised,  wounded,  and  crucified  for 
them,  and  that  they  might  henceforth 
hear  in  tender  remembrance  that  most 
remarkable  proof  of  his  amazing  love  to 
them  and  to  the  world. 

To  make  the  impression  more  solemn, 
and  to  establish  an  ordinance  for  all 
future  time  more  complete,  he  passed 
among  them  also  a  cup  of  wine,  and 
havins:  ofiven  thanks,  he  bade  them  all 
drink  of  it,  stating  to  them  that  he  de- 
signed thus  to  represent  his  blood  (which 
was  about  to  be  shed  for  the  remission 
of  sins)  as  the  blood  of  the  new  Cove- 
nant—  the  blood  by  which  all  the  bene- 
fits of  the  New  or  Gospel  Dispensation 
were  to  be  purchased,  or  secured,  for 
sinful  men. 

He  closes  the  impressive  service,  with 
repeating  the  assertion  that  he  should 
drink  wine  with  them  no  more,  until 
having  risen  from  the  dead,  and  having 
been  exalted  to  his  Mediatorial  King- 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  17 

dom,  he  should  participate  with  them  in 
those  nobler  entertainments  secured  by 
his  death  for  all  who  believe  in  him, 
and  to  be  enjoyed  in  the  mansions  of 
everlasting  glory. 

The  hymn  of  praise  to  God,  commonly 
used  at  the  conclusion  of  the  Paschal 
feast,  having  been  sung,  they  were  about 
to  proceed  to  the  Mount  of  Olives.  But 
before  leaving  the  room,  our  Lord,  it 
would  seem,  detained  them  until  he  had 
given  utterance  to  that  touching  farewell 
address,  which  we  find  recorded  in  the 
fourteenth,  fifteenth  and  sixteenth  chap- 
ters of  the  Gospel  of  John.  This  ad- 
dress he  follows  with  that  touching 
prayer  to  the  Father  of  all,  in  which 
he  supplicates,  that  he  himself  may 
be  glorified;  that  those  who  were  given 
to  him  might  be  preserved  from  evil, 
and  might  be  sanctified  through  the 
truth  ;  that  they,  and  all  succeeding 
Christians    might   be    united   on   earth 


18  RECORD   OF  THE  ORIGINAL 

and  glorified  in  heaven.  John  xvii."  "  In 
rapt  and  holy  retrospect*  the  Lord  con- 
templates, and  dedicates  to  his  heavenly 
Father,  his  complete  work.  He  com- 
mends both  his  work,  and  those  loved 
ones  who  had  been  permitted  to  witness 
it,  to  the  eternal  Father,  in  a  prayer 
which  has  been  rightly  regarded  by  all 
deeper  expositors  as  the  most  afFecting 
and  most  sublime  outpouring  of  love 
and  devotion  that  stands  recorded  on 
the  pages  of  the  Book  of  Life." — [UUt- 
cott^s  Life  of  Christy  jpage'^.^Q.^ 


On  the  night  of  that  Last  Supper, 
Seated  with  his  chosen  band, 

Christ,  as  food  to  all  his  brethren. 
Gives  himself  with  his  own  hand. 

He,  as  man  with  man  conversing. 
Staid  the  seeds  of  truth  to  sow; 

Then  he  closed,  in  solemn  order, 
Wondrously,  his  life  of  woe. 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  19 

Lo  !  o'er  ancient  forms  departing, 

Newer  rites  of  grace  prevail ; 
Faith  for  all  defects  supplying, 

Where  the  feeble  senses  fail. 

To  the  everlasting  Father, 

Through  the  Son  who  reigns  on  high, 

In  salvation,  honor,  blessing, 

INIight,  and  endless  majesty. 

Breviary. 

The  original,  or  first  Communion 
Table,  has  long  since  perished  in  the 
destruction  that  befel  the  city  of  Jeru- 
salem—  less  than  forty  years  after  the 
scene  that  we  have  described.  But  other 
Tables  have  been  ever  since  in  more  or 
less  frequent  use,  in  the  celebration  of 
the  holy  communion.  Wherever  the 
Christian  Church  has  been  planted ; 
wherever  an  edifice  is  built  for  the  pub- 
lic service  of  Christ,  therein  is  found  a 
Communion  Table,  and  thereon  are 
placed,  at  stated  times,  the  sacred  me- 
morials of  our  once  crucified  Lord  and 
Redeemer. 


20  FIRST  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

Many  centuries  have  fled 
Since  our  Saviour  broke  the  bread, 
And  this  sacred  feast  ordained, 
Ever  by  his  Church  retained; 
Those  his  body  who  discern, 
Thus  shall  meet  till  his  return. 

All  who  fear  the  Saviour's  name. 
Here  their  common  faith  proclaim ; 
Though  diverse  in  tongue  or  rite. 
Here,  one  body  we  unite  ; 
Breaking  thus  one  mystic  bread, 
Members  of  one  common  Head. 

COXDER. 


LET    us    JSrO"W    PROCEED     IN    OUR    WALK    TO    THB 
COMMUNION    TABLE. 


The  First  Step  is  a  personal  conse- 
cration to  Christ  —  a  solemn,  voluntary, 
intelliijent  devotement  of  ourselves  and 
of  all  that  we  possess,  to  the  service  and 
glory  of  Christ.  This,  of  course,  includes 
undoubting  faith  in  him,  as  a  living 
almighty,    and  omnipotent  Redeemer 


&' 


exclusive  trust  in  him  as  the  atoning 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  21 

sacrifice,  the  great  High  Priest;  the  re- 
nunciation of  all  dependence  upon  our 
own  merit,  righteousness,  wisdom,  and 
strength  in  the  matter  of  salvation;  the 
commitment  of  our  souls  to  him  for 
pardon,  for  holiness,  and  for  everlasting 
life. 


II. 

The  Second  Step,  is  a  public  profes- 
sion of  our  faith  in  Christ,  and  of  our 
devotion  to  his  service. 

Under  the  ancient  economy  we  read 
(Deut.  26  :  17):  "Thou  hast  avouched 
the  Lord  this  day  to  be  thy  God,  and 
to  walk  in  his  ways,  and  to  keep  his 
statutes  and  his  commandments,  and  his 
judgments,  and  to  hearken  unto  his  voice. 
And  God  hath  avouched  thee  this  day 
to  be  his  peculiar  people,  as  he  hath 
promised  thee,  and  that  thou  shouldest 
keep  all  his  commandments." 


22  SECOND  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

Christ  designed  that  his  true  disciples 
should  make  themselves  known  as  such. 
This  is  evident  from  what  he  said  (Matt. 
5:  15,  16),  "Neither  do  men  light  a 
candle,  and  put  it  under  a  bushel,  but 
on  a  candlestick  ;  and  it  giveth  light  to 
all  that  are  in  the  house.  Let  your  light 
so  shine  before  men,  that  they  may  see 
)^our  good  works,  and  glorify  your 
Father  which  is  in  heaven."  Also  from 
what  he  said  more  explicitly  (Matt.  10  : 
32,  33),  ''  Whosoever  shall  confess  me 
before  men,  him  will  I  confess  also  be- 
fore my  Father  which  is  in  heaven.  But 
whoso  shall  deny  (^.  e.,  shall  not  confess 
me)  before  men,  him  will  I  also  deny 
before  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven." 
Read  also  Mark  8  :  38;  16  :  16;  Eom.  10: 
9,  10;  I  Cor.  11  :  26. 

None  but  real  disciples  of  Christ,  can 
consistently  seat  themselves  at  Christ's 
table,  to  show  forth  his  death,  and  thus 
to  declare  their  faith  in  it,  and  their  re- 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  23 

spect  for  it.  And  so  none  can  justly 
claim  to  be  his  disciples  who  for  any 
cause  decline  to  honor  Christ  by  a  public 
profession  of  their  adherance  and  devo- 
tion to  him,  and  by  a  public  perpetua- 
tion of  a  respectful  and  loving  remem- 
brance of  him,  in  the  observence  of  this 
ordinance  which  he  enjoined  upon  his 
disciples  to  celebrate  for  that  express 
purpose. 

III. 

A  Third  Step  towards  the  Communion 
Table,  consists  in  such  a  course  of  life  as 
faith  in  Christ  and  obedience  to  him  nat- 
urally ^rom^ts^  and  in  a  good  degree 
secures.  It  is  not  by  a  public  assent  to 
the  claims  and  obligations  of  Christianity 
that  we  can  honor  its  Divine  Founder, 
unless  habitually,  in  our  conduct,  we 
cultivate  and  manifest  the  characteristics 
that  distinguish  his  true  followers — un- 
less we  produce  the  "  fruits  of  the  spirit " 


24  THIRD  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

• — love,  joy,  peace,  long-suffering,  gentle- 
ness, goodness,  faith,  [fidelity,]  meek- 
ness, temperance ;  unless  we  put  away 
all  bitterness,  and  wrath,  and  anger,  and 
clamor,  and  evil  speaking,  with  all  mal- 
ice; unless  we  be  kind  one  to  another, 
tender-hearted,  forgiving  one  another, 
even  as  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  hath  for- 
given us ;  unless  we  endeavor  to  be 
followers  of  God,  as  dear  children,  and 
walk  in  love,  as  Christ  hath  also  loved 
us  ;  unless  we  seek  those  things  which 
are  above,  setting  our  affections  on  them, 
rather  than  on  things  on  the  earth,  hav- 
ing our  life  hid  with  Christ  in  God. 
We  are  to  remember  that  Christ  loved 
the  Church  and  gave  himself  for  it,  that 
he  might  sanctify  and  cleanse  it  by  the 
washing  of  water  by  the  word,  that  he 
might  present  it  to  himself  a  glorious 
Church,  not  having  spot  or  wrinkle,  or 
any  such  thing,  but  that  it  should  be 
holy  and  without  blemish.     (Gal.  5  :  22 


COMMUNION  I'ABLE. 


25 


-24;    Eph.  4  :31,   32;    5:1,    2;    Col. 
3  :  1,  2  ;  Eph.  5  :  25,  27). 

While,  alas,  even  true  Christians  great- 
ly fail  in  exhibiting  the  temper,  spirit, 
and  deportment  just  alluded  to,  they 
cannot  proceed  with  a  firm  unhesitating 
step  towards  the  Communion  Table, 
unless  they  have  the  recollection  and 
the  consciousness  of  an  earnest  and  habi- 
tual purpose  and  endeavor,  in  reliance  on 
God's  grace,  to  observe  consistency  in 
their  daily  conduct  with  that  which  they 
have  professed  their  purpose  to  pursue. 

IV. 

A  Fourth  Step  zs  thai  which  is  to  be 
taken  on  hidor^ic  ground — in  going  over 
the  history  of  our  Saviour's  last  hours. 

It  will  be  found  expedient  to  begin 
early  in  the  week  befoi  e  Communion,  to 
read,  from  the  latter  portions  of  the 
four  Gospels,  from  Isaiah,  and  in  the 
Epistles,  the  principal  passages  which 


26  FOURTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

relate  to  the  sufferings  and  death  of  the 
Son  of  God,  and  the  purposes  and  re- 
sults of  those  events.  It  is  only  by 
faith  that  we  can  attain  impressive  and 
affectionate  views  of  Christ  ;  and  it  is 
only  by  a  thoughtful  reading  of  the 
Scriptures,  and  of  other  good  books  on 
the  subject,  that  our  faith  becomes  so 
strong  as  to  bring  the  Saviour  distinctly 
before  us  in  his  grand  and  glorious 
character,  life,  and  death.  This  whole 
subject  it  is  highly  important  to  repro- 
duce in  our  minds  with  all  the  freshness 
and  completeness  possible.  So  will  the 
Communion  Table  be  invested  with  a 
peculiar  interest  and  transcendent  glory. 

ORDER  OF  SCRIPTURE  READING  LESSONS. 

The  writer  would  suo-o-est  the  follow- 
ing  passages  of  Scripture  as  highly  ap- 
propriate to  be  read  in  the  order  named, 
on  the  several  days  of  the  week  before 
Communion. 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  27 

FOR  MONDAY. 

Luke  XXII,  35 — 38;  John  xiv,  22-31; 
XV,  1-27. 

FOR  TUESDAY. 

John  XVI,    1-16;   29-33;   xvii,   1-26. 

FOR  WEDNESDAY. 

Mat.  XXVI,  36-46;  Mark  xiv,  34-42; 
Luke  XXII,  39-46;  Mat.  xxvi,  47-75  ; 
Mark  xiv,  43-72  ;  Luke  xxn,  47-71 ; 
John  XVIII,  3-27. 

FOR  THURSDAY. 

Mat.  XXVII,  3-26  ;  Luke  xxiii,  1-16; 
John  xvm,  28-38  ;  xix,  1-16. 

FOR  FRIDAY. 

Mat.  xxvn,  27-61  ;  Mark  xv.  26-45. 
Luke  XXIII,  32-49  ;  John  xix,  17-42. 

FOR  SATURDAY. 

Isaiah  lii,  13-15  ;  liii,  1-12 ;  Eo- 
mans  ni,  21-26  ;  v,  1-11  ;  vi,  8-14  ; 
viii,  1-13,  28-39  ;    I  Cor.  iii,  22,  23. 

FOR  SABBATH  MORNING. 

Ephesians  i,  3-23  ;  ii,  1-10,  17-22  ; 
III,  13-21. 


28  FIFTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 


A  Fifth  Step  is  to  the  Preparatory 
Lecture,  the  professed  object  of  which 
is  to  hold  up  such  truths,  to  propose 
such  inquiries  and  examination,  and  to 
offer  such  prayers,  as  cannot  fail,  with 
the  divine  blessing,  and  with  earnest  co- 
operation on  our  part,  to  put  the  mind 
and  heart  in  a  fitting  attitude  for  the 
solemnities  of  the  Communion  Table. 

It  is  also  the  practice  of  most  churches 
to  hold  a  Church  Prayer  Meeting  on  the 
subsequent  Saturday  evening,  for  the 
specific  purpose  of  supplicating  the  pre- 
sence and  favor  of  the  Great  Eedeemer 
at  his  table.  Every  church  member 
should  regard  it  as  equally  a  privilege 
and  a  duty  to  participate  in  the  exerci- 
ses of  such  a  meeting,  having  prepared 
the  heart  beforehand,  by  secret  prayer 
and  meditation,  for  a  profitable  and  de- 
vout att(aidance  there. 


COMMWNION  TABLE  29 

It  is  very  important,  also,  to  secure  to 
one's  self  on  the  Sabbath  morning  an 
hour  or  two  in  the  closet,  for  special 
prayer,  reading,  and  meditation,  bearing 
upon  the  solemnities  of  the  sanctuary  on 
that  day. 

VI. 

A  Sixth  Step  will  carry  us  into  the 
process  of  careful  Self-examination;  and 
this  relates  to  several  points  : 

1.  Am  I  a  Christian  in  reality  as  well 
OS  in  name  9  Have  I  good  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  I  have  been  renewed  in  heart 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and,  as  the  result 
of  such  renewal,  that  I  have  been 
brouo^ht  to  feel  the  o^reat  evil  of  sin,  so 
as  to  abhor  myself  on  account  of  it,  and 
to  resolve,  as  far  as  lies  in  my  power,  to 
forsake  it,  as  being  offensive  to  God,  a 
violation  of  his  holy  law,  and  a  dishon- 
or and  injury  to  my  own  soul  ?  Has  it 
been   my  practice   to   pray  and   watch 


30  SIXTH  STEP  TO  WARES  THE 

against  it  on  all  occasions,  and  to  look 
to  Christ  alone  for  the  pardon  of  all  my 
sins,  and  for  strength,  by  his  Holy 
Spirit,  to  overcome  whatever  is  evil 
within  me,  and  to  avoid  all  that  is  evil 
around  me  ?  Do  I  love  Christ  su- 
premely, and  hold  myself  in  a  habitual 
posture  of  obedience  to  him,  regarding 
his  will  and  his  example  as  my  supreme 
law  ?  Do  I  make  it  my  daily  aim  and 
endeavor  to  please  him,  by  keeping  his 
Commandments,  by  renouncing  the 
world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  and  by 
doing  my  part  towards  building  up  the 
interests  of  Christ's  kingdom  in  the 
world  ? 

By  these  and  similar  inquiries,  put 
to  memory  and  to  conscience,  Ave  may 
come  to  a  settled  conviction  in  regard 
to  the  question  of  being  true  disci- 
ples of  Christ  or  otherwise.  The  set- 
tlement of  this  question,  at  least  a  con- 
scious p7-obability  that  we  are  accepted 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  31 

by  Him,   is  essential  to  a  comfortable 
approach  to  our  Saviour's  Table. 

Jesus  my  shepherd  is, 

'Twas  He  that  loved  my  soul, 
'Twas  He  that  washed  me  in  his  blood, 

'Twas  He  that  made  me  whole, 
'Twas  He  that  sought  the  lost, 

That  found  the  wandering  sh<3ep, 
'Twas  he  that  brought  me  to  the  fold, 

'Tis  He  that  still  doth  keep. 

I  was  a  wandering  sheep, 

I  would  not  be  controlled  ; 
But  now  I  love  my  shepherd's  voice, 

I  love,  I  love  the  fold 
I  was  a  wayward  child ; 

I  once  preferred  to  roam. 
But  now  I  love  my  Father's  voice, — 

I  love,  I  love  his  home  ! 

BONAK. 

2.  Am  I  ready  to  renounce,  and  do  I 
renounce,  whatever  in  modes  of  thought, 
of  feeling,  and  of  action,  I  hnow  to  be 
disajDjyroved  hy  Christ,  inconsistent  with 
my  professei  obligations  and  devotion 


32  SIXTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

to  him,  and  unworthy  of  one  who  shall 
go  as  an  invited  guest  to  the  table  of 
the  King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords, 
reroembering  that  he  is  the  Searcher  of 
hearts,  and  that  he  knows  most  per- 
fectly what  I  am,  and  what  I  purpose  to 
be  and  to  do  ? 

3.  Have  I  a  dee^  and  humbling  sense 
of  perso7ial  sms  and  deficiencies  since  I 
first  prof  essed  to  devote  myself  to  Christy 
and  to  7^epent  of  my  sins  9  Am  I  deeply 
conscious  that  I  have  most  grievously 
fallen  short  of  a  full  compliance  with 
my  duty  to  Christ,  to  his  people,  and  to 
all  others,  as  well  as  to  my  own  soul  ? 
Do  I  feel,  consequently,  my  entire  uu- 
worthiness  to  appear  in  the  sacred  pre- 
sence of  my  Saviour,  claiming  the  name, 
the  place,  the  privileges,  the  fellowship 
of  a  disciple  ?  Do  I  feel  that  I  richly 
merit  rebuke,  disapprobation,  yea,  con- 
demnation, and  rejection  ?  Do  I  now 
humble  myself  before  him,  in  view  of 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  33 

manifold  inconsistencies,  neglects  of 
duty,  careless  or  intermitted  perform- 
ances of  it;  and  with  a  broken  heart  do 
I  purpose  to  urge  my  way  into  his  pre- 
sence, to  acknowledge  the  wrong  which 
I  have  done  to  him,  to  confess  my  un- 
worthiness  of  his  continued  favor,  and 
to  implore  his  pardoning,  and  also  his 
sanctifying  grace — saying  to  him,  from 
the  heart.  Without  thee  I  can  do  noth- 
ing good,  nothing  worthy  of  my  high 
vocation,  or  of  divine  acceptance  ? 

"  That  table  is  spread,"  (says  Dr. 
Gumming,)  "not  for  those  who  bring 
their  virtues  to  glory  in  them,  nor  for 
those  who  bring  their  sins  to  get  sanc- 
tion for  them,  but  for  those  who  bring 
their  goodness  and  cast  it  at  the  Sa- 
viour's feet,  as  his  creation;  and  for 
those  who  bring  their  sins,  hating  them, 
and  to  Vv-ash  them  away  in  the  Saviour's 
blood.  It  is  spread  for  imperfect  sin- 
ners  seeking  to  be   jDerfect;  for   weak 


34  SIXTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

faith  seekino-  to  be  strou<v;  for  cold  Iovp. 
seeking  to  be  warmed ;  for  humblo 
hearts  that  can  say,  '  Lord  we  perish,  do 
Thou  save  us.' " 

4.  Have  I  cooTect  views  of  the  JVature 
and  Design  of  the  sacred  ordinance  which 
I  am  about  to  ohsei^e  9 

It  is  denominated  the  Lord's  Supper, 
because  it  relates  exclusively  to  him, 
because  it  was  instituted  by  him,  and  in 
honor  of  him,  aiud  was  first  observed  in 
the  night,  at  the  close  of  the  Passover 
Supper. 

It  is  called  the  "  Communion  of  the 
Body  and  of  the  Blood  of  Christ,''^  be- 
cause, by  the  proper  observance  of  this 
ordinance,  Christians  become  partakers 
in  common,  as  one  body,  of  the  saving 
benefits  resulting  from  the  oflering  up 
of  his  body  and  blood  on  the  cross  for 
their  salvation.     1  Cor.  10  :  16,  17. 

It  is  also,  with  great  propriety,  called 
simply  "The  Co3imunion,"  because,  in 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  55 

its  right  observance,  we  hold  Spiritual 
Communication  and  intercourse  with 
our  Saviour,  whose  real,  though  not 
bodily,  presence  Ave  discover,  ( as  in 
other  Christian  ordinances)  by  faith;  we 
speak  to  him  as  present ;  we  give  utte- 
rance to  our  desires,  emotions  and  afiec- 
tions;  we  interchange  the  feelings  of 
ardent  friendship  and  attachment;  we 
are  conscious  that  he  actually  regards 
us  with  a  warmer  love  and  sympathy 
than  we  ourselves  entertain  towards  him; 
that  he  kindly  responds  to  our  devout 
aspirations,  and  condescends  to  accept 
the  homage  of  our  admiring  gratitude 
and  praise.  He  also  gives  us  the  assu- 
rance of  his  loving  remembrance  of  us, 
and  of  his  gracious  purpose  to  fulfill  to 
us  all  his  promises,  and  these  are  ex- 
ceedingly great  and  precious. 

It  may  be  fitly  called  "  The  Commu- 
nion" on  another  account.  Christians 
then  communicate  not  only  with  tlieir 


S6  SIXTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

Saviour,  in  the  manner  described,  but 
also  with  one  another,  having  their 
hearts  in  common  directed  to  the  same 
glorious  object — expressing  substanti- 
ally the  same  sentiments  towards  him — 
indulging  the  same  hopes — making  simi- 
lar confessions  of  unworthiness — pour- 
in  «:  forth  similar  thanks o^i vinous — and 
unitino^  in  a  renewed  oath  of  alleo^iance 
to  the  same  Divine  Lord.  They  have 
then  peculiar  felloAvship  with  one  ano- 
ther, by  holding  fellowship  with  the 
same  unseen  yet  present  Eedeemer. 

Our  souls,  by  love  together  knit, 

Cemented,  mixed  in  one. 
One  hope,  one  heart,  one  mind,  one  voice, 

'Tis  heaven  on  earth  begun. 

Our  hearts  have  often  burned  within, 

And  glowed  with  sacred  fire. 
While  Jesus  spoke,  and  fed,  and  blessed, 

And  filled  the  enlarged  desire. 

MlLLEB. 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  37 

The  earliest  name  given  to  this  ordi- 
nance was  "  The  Beeaking  of  Bread," 
in  allusion  to  the  action  of  our  Lord  in 
breaking  the  bread,  to  represent  his  ap- 
proaching sufferings  from  his  wounded 
body  on  the  cross.  It  is  said  of  the 
early  Christians,  converted  on  the  day 
of  Pentecost  (Acts  2  :  42),  that  they  con- 
tinued steadfastly  in  the  Apostle's  doc- 
trine and  fellowship,  and  in  breaking  of 
bread  and  of  prayers. 

The  cup  used  in  this  ordinance  is 
called  by  him  "  The  New  Testament  (or 
Covenant)  in  my  bloods  The  new  Cove- 
nant, or  Dispensation,  was  ratified,  in 
all  its  gracious  promises  and  provisions, 
by  the  blood  of  Christ,  as  the  old  econ- 
omy was  ratified  by  the  blood  of  animal 
sacrifices.  It  is  the  blood  of  Christ  that 
cleanses .  from  all  sin  and  procures  for 
us  the  Holy  Spirit,  through  whose 
agency  we  attain  all  the  graces  of  char- 
acter and  of  1  fe  which  distinguish  the 


38  SIXTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

true  believer.  When  we  taste  the  con- 
tents of  this  cup — the  appointed  symbol 
of  Christ's  atoning  blood — how  solemnly 
does  it  teach  us  that  we  are  redeemed, 
"  not  with  corruptible  things  as  silver 
and  gold,"  from  a  life  of  unholiness,  and 
of  condemnation,  but  "with  the  pre- 
cious blood  of  Christ,  as  of  a  Lamb 
without  blemish  and  without  spot !" 
(1  Pet.  1  :  18,  19.) 

Hence  this  ordinance  was  designed  to 
imjjress  upon  us,  by  these  visible  sym- 
bols, the  grand  design  of  the  Death  of 
Christ,  which  was  to  secure  the  remis- 
sion of  sins  and  the  blessings  of  justifi- 
cation. Our  Saviour  himself,  when  he 
instituted  and  administered  the  ordi- 
nance, declared  that  his  body  was  given 
and  broken,  and  his  blood  shed,  for  his 
disciples,  and  for  many,  for  the  remis- 
sion of  sins.  It  cannot,  of  course,  then, 
be  correctly,  and  intelligently,  and  pro- 
fitably observed,  if  our  minds  are  not 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  39 

intently  fixed  upon  this  sublime  purpose 
and  effect  of  the  death  of  our  Saviour, 
represented  to  the  e^^e  and  to  the  taste, 
by  the  bread  and  the  wine  of  which  we 
then  partake.  We  are  therefore,  to 
confide  in  him,  and  thus  to  honor  him, 
as  "the  propitiation  for  our  sins,  and 
not  for  ours  only,  but  also  for  the  sins 
of  the  whole  world."  "  As  often  as  ye 
eat  this  bread  and  drink  this  cup  (said 
the  Apostle  Paul  )  ye  do  shew  forth  the 
Lord's  death  till  he  corned  So  that  this 
ordinance  has  been  correctly  denomina- 
ted, "  ^4  visible  representation  of  the 
Death  of  Christ  as  an  Atonement  for  the 
sins  of  the  world J^ 

Again,  it  was  also  appointed  as  a  me- 
morial of  the  Saviour,  of  his  person — 
his  offices — his  manifold  beneficence. 
"  Do  this,"  said  he,  "in  remembrance  of 

le."     He  is  thus  in  a 
before  our  very  eyes. 


40  SIXTH  STE?  TOWARDS  THE 

Sometimes  this  observance  is  spoken 
of  under  the  name  of  euchapjst  (or 
Thanksgiving),  from  the  circumstance 
that  the  giving  of  thanks  is  part  of  the 
solemn  rite  ;  and  hence  we  may  learn 
that  in  its  celebration,  an  eminently 
grateful  and  joyful  state  of  mind  is  most 
appropriate. 

"  While  we  thus,  with  glad  accord, 
Meet  around  thy  table,  Lord, 
Bid  us  feast  with  joy  divine, 
On  th'  appointed  bread  and  wine." 

To  this,  as  well  as  to  the  ordinance  of 
Baptism,  is  applied  the  term  "  sacra- 
ment," which,  in  the  Westminster  Cate- 
chism, is  defined  to  be  "a  holy  ordinance, 
instituted  by  Christ,  wherein  by  sensible 
siffus  Christ  and  the  benefits  of  the  New 
Covenant  are  represented,  sealed  and 
applied  to  believers."  The  Church  of 
England  defines  it,  "  an  outward  and 
visible  sign  of  an  inward  and  spiritual 
grace,  given  unto  us,  ordained  by  Christ 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  41 

himself,  as  a  means  by  which  ive  receive 
the  same,  and  a  pledge  to  assure  us 
thereof." 

The  term  "  sacrament  "  is  supposed 
by  some  to  be  derived  from  the  Latin 
word  Sacramentmn,  which  signifies  an 
oath,  alluding  chiefly  to  that  oath  which 
Roman  soldiers  took  to  be  faithful  to 
their  commander  and  to  their  country. 
Hence  the  writers  of  the  Latin  Church 
applied  it  to  those  religious  ordinances 
by  which  Christians  came  under  professed 
obligations  of  obedience  to  God,  equally 
sacred  in  their  estimation  with  the  obli- 
gation of  an  oath.  By  taking  as  disci- 
ples the  symbols  of  the  crucifled  Jesus 
— by  showing  forth  his  death  as  the 
divinely  appointed  means  of  delivering 
us  from  a  life  of  sin,  and  further,  by 
recognizing  him  in  his  kingly  as  well  as 
priestly  office,  Ave  virtually  take  an  oath 
of  allegiance,  pledging  ourselves  to  be 
his  faithful  and  loyal   su]:)jects,  an  1  to 


42  SIXIH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

seek  the  prosperity  of  his  kingdom.  It 
behooves  us  then  to  consider  the  solemn 
obligations  to  the  service  of  Christ, 
which  at  his  table  we  recognize,  and 
promise  to  observe. 

Further,  (as  Dr.  J.  P.  Wilson  re- 
marks), "it  is  important  that  there 
should  be  some  visible  mark  and  test^ 
whereby  those  ivJw  prof  ess  to  be  Christians 
sliOuUl  be  distinguished  from  the  rest  of 
the  ivorld.  Those  who  refuse  to  comply 
with  this  positive  injunction,  renounce 
obedience  to  Christ,  and  show  that  their 
obedience  in  other  instances  flows  neither 
from  the  love  nor  fear  of  God." 

Enough,  perhaps,  has  now  been  said, 
to  enable  one  to  unde' -stand  the  true 
nature  and  design  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
and  to  observe  it  intelligently  and  profit- 
ably. 

Here  seems  to  be  the  best  place  for 
noticing  a  oreat  mistake  wliich  is  ajpt  to 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  43 

he  made  in  regard  to  that  self-examination 
which  Paul  enjoins  (I  Cor.  xi.)  iiijon  the 
Corinthian  Churchy  when  lie  says  :  — 
''Whosoever  shall  eat  this  bread  and 
drink  this  cup  of  the  Lord  unworthily, 
shall  be  guilty  of  the  body  and  blood 
of  the  Lord.  But  let  a  man  examine 
himself,  and  so  let  him  eat  of  that  bread 
and  drink  of  that  cap.  For  he  that 
eateth  and  drinketh  unworthilj^,  eateth 
and  drinketh  damnation  to  himself,  not 
discerning  the  Lord's  body." 

By  a  careful  reading  of  the  context, 
it  will  be  seen  that  the  Corinthian 
Church,  at  least  a  portion  of  it,  had 
almost  lost  sight  of  the  sacred  purposes 
of  this  ordinance.  It  wdll  be  observed 
that  at  Corinth  it  was  preceded  or  fol- 
lowed by  gross  indulgence  in  eating  and 
drinking  ;  that  it  had  become  necessary 
for  Paul  to  remind  that  Church  of  the 
true  design  of  the  Supper,  communicat- 
ed to  him  by  revelation  from  the  Master 


44 


SIXTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 


himself:  namely,  to  commemorate  the 
death  of  Christ,  and  to  keep  that  fact 
before  the  Avorld  as  the  grand  and  only 
medium  of  salvation  ;  tliat  tiie  convert- 
ing of  this  solemnity  into  an  ordinary 
repast,  for  animal  in:lulgence,  was  eat- 
ing the  bread  and  drinking  the  cup  of 
the  Lord  unwortldly,  i.  e.,  in  an  unbe- 
coming and  shameful  manner ;  that 
those  who  thus  abused  the  sacred  feiist 
were  "  guilty  of  the  body  and  blood  of 
the  Lord" — guilty,  and  worthy  of  pun- 
ishment, on  account  of  the  disrespect 
and  contempt  thus  shown  to  the  Lord  ; 
that  those  who  ate  and  drank  on  these 
occasions  thus  unworthily,  ate  and  drank 
"damnation"  (i.  e.,  condemnation  or 
punishment)  to  themselves,  not  discern- 
ing the  Lord's  body,"  not  recognizing 
in  the  bread  and  wine  the  representation 
which  was  designed  to  be  made  of  the 
Lord's  body — not  partaking  of  them  as 
symbols  of  his  crucified  body,  with  af- 


COMMUNION  lABLE.  45 

fectionate  reverence,  gratitude  and  loye, 
but  overlooking,  disregarding,  and  thus 
profaning  the  true  character  and  design 
of  the  sacred  ordinance. 

That  the  "  damnation,"  or,  more  pro- 
perly translated,  the  condemnation ^  or 
judgment,  referred  to,  does  not  denote 
everlasting  punishment  in  hell,  is  per- 
fectly plain  from  what  follows  :  "  for 
this  cause  (i.  e.  for  not  discerning  the 
Lord's  body,  and  thus  for  eatino;  the 
bread  and  drinking  the  cup  of  the  Lord 
unworthily)  many  are  weak  and  sickly 
among  3'ou,  and  many  sleep  " — many 
were  subjected  to  disease,  and  to  some 
the  disease  inflicted  had  proved  fatal. 
The  punishment  was  temporal  merely; 
and  from  what  the  apostle  adds,  we 
learn  that  it  was  designed  to  be  discip- 
linary and  reformatory  to  the  Church, 
if  not  also  to  the  ofienders  themselves. 
The  apostle  adds:  "for  if  we  would 
judge  ourselves  (discipline  and  coirt^ct 


46  SIXTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

ourselves)  we  should  not  be  judged 
(should  not  be  thus  visited  by  disease); 
but  when  we  are  judged,  we  are  chas- 
tened by  the  Lord,  that  ive  should  not  be 
condemned  with  the  icorld  "  (or  involved 
in  that  everlasting  condemnation  and 
ruin  to  v/hich  the  unchristian  world  are 
hastening.)  Hence  the  punishment  of 
such  unworthy  conduct  at  the  Lord's 
Supper,  vras  not  endless  punishment, 
(unless  indeed,  the  offender  should  fail 
to  repent  and  to  reform);  but  it  was 
designed  to  bring  the  offender  to  repent- 
ance, and  thus  to  save  him  from  what  is 
usually  understood  by  the  fearful  word 
"  damnation." 

While  none  of  us,  in  this  Christian 
land,  are  in  danger  of  practicing  such 
an  unworth}^  observance  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  as  that  which  brought  the  dis- 
pleasure of  God  upon  many  in  the  Co- 
rinthian Church,  yet  the  record  of  such 
an  abuse  of  the  ordinance  should  be  used 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  47 

as  a  wrirniiig  to  giuird  against  every  un- 
worthy i.  e.  unseemly  and  unbecoming 
method  of  observance.  This  end  will 
best  1)e  secured  by  aiming  at  just  such  an 
observance  as  our  Lord  designed — such 
as  will  contribute  to  honor  him,  and  to 
please  him,  to  promote  our  love  to 
Christ,  our  obedience  to  him  in  all 
things,  and  our  zeal  in  his  service. 

It  is  here  to  be  distinctly  remarked, 
that  a  seuse,  however  deep,  of  personal 
unworthiness,  is  so  far  from  being  a  dis- 
qualification for  an  acceptable  approach 
to  the  Lord's  table,  that  the  Avaut  of  it 
rather  would  unfit  us  for  such  an  ap- 
proach. Conscious  moral  defects — the 
conviction  that  feebleness  and  incon- 
stancy have  characterized  all  our  Chris- 
tian o^races — the  knowledo-e  that  we 
come  far  short  of  the  high  attainments 
in  spiritual  excellence  wliich  we  should 
have  made,  and  that  w^e  have  done  but 
little  to  prove  that  we  possess  supreme 


48  SIXTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

love  to  Christ,  our  greatest  benefactor, 
cannot  fail  to  produce  in  every  truly 
Christian,  humble  heart,  a  deep  sense  of 
personal  unworthiness.  Let  not  this 
state  of  mind,  therefore,  deter  any  real 
Christian  from  a  walk  to  the  Commu- 
nion Table. 

5.  Another  point  of  self-examination, 
relates  to  the  question,  WJiy  sliould  I  go 
to  the  Communion  Table?  What  motives 
should  impel  me,  and  what  advantages  are 
to  he  anticipated  9 

Shall  I  go  merely  because  custom  re- 
quires it  ?  This  were  a  most  unworthy 
motive. 

Shall  I  go  only  for  the  sake  of  mani- 
festing consistency  as  a  professor  of  re- 
ligion ?  Consistency  with  duty  and  with 
professed  obligations,  is  indeed  an  hon- 
orable and  worthy  motive  ;  but  if  not 
sustained  by,  and  combined  with,  some 
other  motive,  it  is  not  to  be  approved. 

Shall  I  go  simply  because  conscience 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  49 

urges  and  commands  me  ?  It  is  right 
and  noble  indeed  to  obey  the  voice  of 
conscience  when  dnl}^  informed  and  cul- 
tivated; but  how  cold  and  skeleton-like 
is  the  motive  which  conscience  alone 
can  supply  in  such  a  case  as  this.  It 
says,  I  must  go  to  the  Communion  Table 
because  it  is  right  to  do  so  ;  I  must  eat 
and  drink  in  remembrance  of  Christ 
because  I  ought  to  do  it,  since  Christ 
has  commanded  it.  This,  the  dying  com- 
mand of  the  best  Friend  I  have  is,  indeed, 
not  to  be  disregarded  ;  it  is  a  command 
so  reasonable,  so  just,  so  worthy  of  the 
Master,  so  fitting  to  be  observed  by 
every  grateful  follower;  but  it  is  quite 
clear  that  love  and  gratitude,  and  spon- 
taneous devotion,  should  not  be  Avanting 
in  the  impulse  to  take  my  place  at  the 
Sacred  Table. 

I  should  go  thither,  also,  distinctly 
with  a  view  to  honor  my  Lord  and  Sa- 
viour; and  also  with  a  view  to  obtain 

4 


60  SIXTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

nearer  access  to  him,  and  to  enjoy  more 
intimate  felloivsldp  icith  Jam,  than  else- 
Avhere  I  can  attain.  There  may  I  best 
grive  utterance  to  the  feelinirs  of  a  re- 
deemed  sinner,  whose  obligations  to 
Christ  can  never  be  fully  expressed  or 
understood.  Thither  should  I  go  that  I 
may  improve  every  Christian  grace — 
that  I  may  become  more  humble,  more 
penitent,  more  grateful,  more  heavenly- 
minded,  more  Christ-like;  that  I  may  be 
the  better  fitted  to  perform  life's  duties, 
encounter  life's  cares,  temptations,  re- 
sponsibilities and  afflictions;  that  I  may 
learn  to  be  a  more  valiant  soldier  in  the 
army  of  the  Redeemer,  and  come  off 
conqueror,  and  more  than  conqiieror 
through  him  who  hath  loved  me  and 
triven  himself  for  me. 

Saviour  !  I  long  to  walk 

Closer  with  thee; 
Led  by  thy  guiding  hand 

Ever  to  be; 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  51 

Constantly  near  thy  side. 
Quickened  and  purified, 
Living  for  him  who  died 

Freely  for  me  !  C.  s.  r. 

There  is  another  reason  that  may 
properly  influence  nie  to  go  to  the  Table 
of  the  Lord,  and  that  is  a  desire  to  enjoy 
the  sympathy  and  fellowship  of  Ghrisfs 
people — to  grow  in  brotherly  love,  and 
to  strengthen  the  disposition  to  perform 
all  the  kindly  offices  to  which  that  love 
will  prompt  me. 

Still  another  reason  may  be  found  in 
the  influence  for  good  luhich  I  may  thus 
exert  upon  those  of  my  friends  and  ac- 
quaintances ivho  are  yet  strangers  to  the 
love  and  service  of  my  Redeemer. 

Further,  not  only  spiritual  profit,  hut 
enjoyment  also  may  I  expect  to  find,  in 
going  to  the  Communion  Table  with  a 
proper  frame  of  mind  and  heart  Must 
there  not  be  peculiar  enjoyment  in  real- 
ly meeting  such  a  friend  as  Christ,  the 


52  SEVENTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

God-Man,  the  condescending  Redeemer 
— in  recounting  the  matchless  blessings 
which  flow  from  his  disinterested,  unso- 
licited, and  stupendous  love — in  looking 
forward  to  the  higher  joys  of  the  mar- 
riage Supper  of  the  Lamb  herein  shad- 
owed forth — and  also  in  participating 
with  so  many  of  Christ's  dear  people 
the  peculiar  benefits  derived  from  the 
sacred  table  ? 

While  we  thus,  with  glad  accord 
Meet  around  thy  table,  Lord, 
Bid  us  feast  with  joy  divine. 
On  th'  appointed  Bread  and  wine ; 
Emblems  may  they  truly  prove, 
Of  the  Saviour's  bleeding  love. 

Hastings. 

VII. 

The  Seventh  Step  is  a  more  immedi- 
ate preparation  for  meeting  the  Baviour 
and  his  disciples  at  the  Communion 
Table — the  adjustment  of  the  mind,  and 
the  arousing  of  the  sensibilities ,  to  a  tone 
suited  to  the  great  occasion. 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  53 

I  am  about  to  go  to  the  sanctuary 
where  this  wondrous  Table  stands,  Avith 
its  precious  memorials  of  a  dying  Friend. 
Let  me  not  reg-ard  the  Communion  sea- 
son  as  only  a  common  religious  service, 
nor  go  to  the  sanctuary  in  a  state  of 
thoughtless  indifference,  or  worldly 
lightness  ;  but  let  me  stir  up  my  mind 
to  think  deeply,  earnestly,  and  justly, 
concerning  what  I  am  about  to  witness, 
to  do,  and  to  enjoy — whom  I  am  to 
meet,  what  I  am  to  promise,  and  to  per- 
form. Not  a  mere  ordinary  state  of 
religious  feeling  and  preparation  Avill 
meet  the  demands  of  this  great  interview 
with  the  King  of  Kings,  and  Lord  of 
Lords.  Awake  my  soul,  and  arouse 
thyself  to  shake  off  tliy  sluggishness, 
and  rise  to  the  height  of  this  Mount  of 
Zion,  where  I  hope  to  meet  the  King  in 
his  beauty. 


54  SEVENTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

Light  of  the  better  morning, 

Shine  down  on  me  ! 

Sun  of  the  brighter  heaven. 

Bid  darkness  flee ! 
Thy  warmth  impart 
To  this  dull  heart ; 
Pour  in  thy  light, 
And  let  this  night 
Be  turned  to  day 
By  thy  mild  ray  ! 

Lord  Jesus,  come; 
Thou  daj^-star  shine ; 

Enlighten  now 
This  soul  of  mine  ! 


BaNAE. 


The  Christians  of  an  earlier  genera- 
tion seemed  to  hold  this  occasion  in 
hio-her  reverence  and  esteem  than  do 
those  of  the  present;  they  attended 
more  nnmerous  preparatory  meetings  ; 
they  spent  more  time  in  reading  the 
Scriptures,  and  works  upon  the  Lord's 
Supper,  and  in  the  process  of  self-exam- 
ination, so  as  to  bring  their  minds  into 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  55 

a  solemn  and  appropriate  frame,  and 
thus  they  doubtless  secured  a  higher 
degree  of  benefit  and  of  enjoyment  than 
can  be  ordinarily  obtained  by  a  less 
careful,  less  laborious  and  less  earnest 
preparation. 

Conscious,  however,  that  I  am  incom- 
petent by  my  own  effort,  to  attain  a 
fitting  state  of  mind  and  heart,  it  is  nec- 
essary that  I  should  make  my  way  to 
the  Throne  of  Grace,  to  implore  the 
needful  and  the  promised  assistance  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  beseeching  him  to  ban- 
ish from  the  mind  all  worldly  and 
irrelevant  thoughts,  to  revive  and  in- 
tensify all  just  views  of  the  nature  and 
design  and  benefits  of  the  ordinance — to 
bring  vividly  before  the  eye  of  faith 
the  personal  character,  the  offices,  the 
relations,  the  disinterested  and  matchless 
services,  the  terrible  sufferings  and  ex- 
piatory death  of  the  Son  of  God— and 
to  prcduce  in  my  soul  all  the  various 


56  SEVENTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

forms  of  sensibility  that  correspond  to 
such  views,  and  to  awaken  and  sustain 
through  the  whole  service  all  that  spir- 
itual activity  of  thought  and  feeling, 
wdiich  shall  make  the  occasion  one  of 
deepest  interest,  and  profit  to  myself, 
and  of  honor  to  my  great  and  glorious 
Redeemer. 

Draw  near,  0  holy  Dove,  draw  near, 
With  peace  and  gladness  on  thy  wing; 
Reveal  the  Saviour's  presence  here, 
And  light,  and  life,  and  comfort  bring. 

A.  R.  w. 

Let  me,  therefore,  reflect  upon  the 
Dignity  of  the  Loed  Jesus,  whom  I 
expect  soon  to  meet  at  the  Communion 
Tabic — that  he  is  "  God  manifest  in  the 
flesh,"  that  he  is  "  over  all,  God  blessed 
forever."  "  Jehovjih  our  righteousness," 
"the  Alpha  and  the  Omega,"  "the 
First  and  the  Last." 

"  There  must  be  something  in  the 
Redeemer's  death,"  says  Dr  Cummings, 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  57 

"  that  distinguislies  it  from  the  death  of 
any  other,  however  holy,  when  such  a 
rite  has  been  instituted  in  the  Church, 
and  celebrated  age  after  age,  and  by 
millions  after  millions,  in  order  that 
thus  it  might  be  commemorated.  There 
is  no  rite  appointed  to  celebrate  the 
death  of  Paul,  or  Peter,  or  Polycarp,  or 
Ignatius,  or  any  other  great  martyr  or 
inspired  apostle,  or  heroic  Christian  who 
lived  and  died  for  Jesus'  sake.  Their 
deaths  are  not  commemorated  by  signifi- 
cant rites  ;  but  the  death  of  Jesus  is  so. 
If  we  read  the  account  given  in  the 
Scriptures  respecting  it,  we  shall  find 
that  it  keeps  a  place  so  distinct,  so 
prominent,  so  peculiar,  that  every  hon- 
est reader  must  infer  that  it  was  more 
tlian  the  death  of  a  good  man,  or  of  a 
martyr — that,  in  short,  it  was  the  death 
of  God  manifest  in  the  flesh." 


68  SEVENTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

In  the  l.ieginning  Av^as  The  Word  ; 
The  word  was  God. 
In  the  beginning  was  the  Word ; 

And  His  abode 
From  everlastnig  was  with  God. 
His  name 

I  AM. 

Jehovah,  God,  the  Lord, 
Ever  to  be  adored, 
The  eternal  Son,  — 
The  ever-blessed  One; 
From  all,  to  all  eternity, 
The  brightness  of  the  Eternal  Father's  glory  He! 

Creator  of  the  heaven  and  earth, 

Their  Lord  and  King  ; 
Creator  of  the  heaven  and  earth, 

The  angels  sing  ! 
To  him  all  praise  and  glory  bring ; 
His  power 
Adore, 
From  which  all  things  had  birth, 
By  which  they  still  stand  forth, 
In  beauty  glad; 
With  heavenly  radiance  clad. 
Praise,  praise  his  ever  flowing  love. 
That  brightens  all  below,  and  gladdens  all  above. 

BONAR. 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  59 

Let  me  call  liim  to  mind  as  the  great 
Prophet — the  o-reat  Teacher — the  s^reat 
Li^'ht  of  the  world — the  2:i-eat  Revealer 
of  the  Divine  character  and  will,  and 
method  of  salvation,  and  AVay  of  Life. 

Let  me  look  to  him  as  the  great  High 
Priest  of  our  profession,  who  having 
"put  away  sin  by  the  sacrifice  of  him- 
self," "  ascended  into  heaven  itself  to 
appear  in  the  presence  of  God  for  us," 
and  who  shall  thence  in  due  time  come 
again  vrithout  a  sin-oiFering  unto  salva- 
tion. 

Let  me  recognize  in  him  the  Kixg  of 
Glory,  and  recall  the  divine  prediction 
of  the  time  wdien  "  the  kingdoms  of  this 
world  are  become  the  kingdoms  of  our 
Lord  and  his  Christ,  and  he  shall  reign 
forever  and  ever"  (Eev.  11  :  15  ;  19  : 6), 
possessed  of  "  all  power  in  heaven  and 
earth  "  (Matt.  28  :  19). 

Let  me  especially  regard  him  on  this 
occasion  as  my  Eedee3ier.     It  is  he  of 


fiO  SEVENTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

whom  it  is  written  :  "  AYe  have  redemp- 
tion through  his  blood,  the  forgiveness 
of  sins  according  to  the  riches  of  his 
jrrace  :  in  whom  also  we  have  received 
an  inheritance,"  the  earnest  of  which  is 
"the  Holy  Spirit  of  promise."  This 
redemption  includes  the  future  deliver- 
ance of  the  body  from  the  power  of 
the  grave  ;  he  is  "  the  Resurrection  and 
the  Life."  Of  the  saints  in  heaven  the 
everlasting  and  joyous  song  shall  be, 
"  Thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us 
to  God  by  th}^  blood,  out  of  every  kind- 
red, tongue,  and  people,  and  nation;  and 
hast  made  us  unto  our  God  kings  and 
priests,  and  we  shall  reign  on  the  earth." 
(Rev.  5  :  2,  10). 

Let  me  also  think  of  His  Beneficent 
Mission  to  our  world.  He  came  not  to 
be  ministered  unto,  but  to  minister  and 
to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for  many.  He 
came  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which 
was  lost. 


COMMUNION  TABLE  61 

Clixg  to  the  crucified  ! 
His  death  is  hfe  to  thee, — 
Life  for  eternity. 
His  pains  thy  pardon  seal ; 
His  stripes  thy  bruises  heal ; 
His  cross  proclaims  thy  peace, 
Bids  every  sorrow  cease , 
His  blood  is  all  to  thee, 

It  purges  thee  from  sin  ; 

It  sets  thy  spirit  free, 

It  keeps  thy  conscience  clean; 

Cling  to  the  crucified  ! 

BONAR 


THE   AWAKENING    OF    APPROPRIATE 
EMOTIONS. 

It  now  remains,  by  meditation  and 
prayer,  to  arouse  my  sensibilities  to  a 
correspondence  with  the  great  occasion 
that  is  at  hand. 

1.  Let  my  soul  be  filled  with  Reve- 
EENCE,  by  considering  the  majesty  and 
holiness  of  the  Being  who  has  invited 
me  to  a  seat  at  his  sacred  Table,  and  is 


62  SEVENTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

there  to  preside,  and  to  minister  to  me, 
through  his  servant,  the  wondrous  bene- 
fits of  his  great  Atonement  and  inter- 
cession. I  should  be  able  then  to  feel, 
arid  to  say,  "  This  is  none  other  than  the 
house  of  God,  and  the  very  gate  of 
heaven." 

How  sweet  and  awful  is  the  place, 
With  Christ  within  the  doors  ; 

While  everlasting  love  displays 
The  choicest  of  her  stores  ! 

Watts. 

2.  Self  Abasement  becomes  me  when 
approaching  the  presence  of  him  who 
is  "  holy,  harmless,  undefiled,  and  sepa- 
rate from  sinners."  How  great  the  con- 
trast between  his  unblemished  character, 
and  blameless  life  on  earth  and  my  own  ! 
How  mean,  also,  and  paltry  are  the  re- 
turns which  I  have  made  for  the  amaz- 
ing love  which  is  to  be  represented  in 
symbol  before  my  eyes !     The   lowest 


COMMUNION  7 ABLE.  09 

p.ace,  surely,  becomes  me,  among  those 
who  shall  be  honored  with  a  seat  at 
this  sacred  feast. 

Dear  Saviour  when  my  thoughts  recall 

The  wonders  of  thy  grace, 
Low  at  thy  feet  ashamed  I  fall, 

And  hide  this  wretched  face. 

Shall  love  like  thine  be  thus  repaid .'' 

Ah,  vile,  ungrateful  heart ! 
By  earth's  low  cares  so  oft  betrayed, 

From  Jesus  to  depart. 

Mrs.  Steele. 

3.  Let  Penitence  flow  forth,  in  view 
of  the  cross  of  Christ.  He  died  for  my 
sins.  These  were  virtually  the  nails, 
the  thorns,  the  spear,  the  intolerable 
burden  under  wliich  he  groaned,  the 
cause  of  the  obscuration  of  his  Father's 
benignant  countenance,  occasioning  that 
bitter  cry,  "  My  God,  my  God,  why 
hast  thou  forsaken  me  ?" 


64  SEVENTH  STEP  3\  WARDS  THE 

Was  it  for  crimes  that  I  had  done 

He  groaned  upon  the  tree  ? 
Amazing  pity  !  grace  unknown  ! 

And  love  beyond  degree  ! 
/Well  might  the  sun  in  darkness  hide, 

And  shut  his  glories  in. 
When  Christ,  the  great  Creator  died 

For  man,  the  creature's  sin. 

'Twas  for  m};-  sins,  my  dearest  Lord 

Hung  on  the  cursed  tree, 
And  groaned  away  a  dying  life 

For  thee,  my  soul,  for  thee. 
Oh,  how  I  hate  those  lusts  of  mine 

That  crucified  my  Lord ; 
Those  sins  that  pierced  and  nailed  his  flesh 

Fast  to  the  fatal  wood  ! 

Yes,  my  Redeemer,  they  shall  die , 

My  heart  has  so  decreed ; 
Nor  will  I  spare  the  guilty  things 

That  made  my  Saviour  bleed. 
While  with  a  melting,  broken  heart, 

My  mui'dered  Lord  I  view, 
I'll  raise  revenge  against  my  sins, 

And  slay  the  murderers  too. 

Watts   ' 

1.  Mj  heart  should  be  excited  to  the 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  65 

warmest  Gratitude.  What  benefactor 
has  ever  clisphiyed  such  disinterested 
love  to  me — to  me  when  an  enemy,  a 
sinner,  a  rebel  against  his  authority, 
with  no  appreciation  of  his  sufferings, 
his  death,  his  offerhio:s  of  o-race  ?  Can 
I  occupy  a  seat  at  his  table;  can  I  handle 
and  taste  the  bread  and  wine  in  remem- 
brance of  such  a  dying  friend,  such  a 
large  hearted,  and  full-handed  benefac- 
tor, with  an  ungrateful,  unappreciating 
heart  ?  How  unseemly,  how  despicable 
would  be  such  a  state  of  mind  !  No  ! 
my  heart  must  be  aroused  to  gratitude 
most  intense,  and  to  thanksoivinij  most 

lofty  and  sincere. 

If  human  kindness  meets  return. 

And  owns  the  grateful  tie  ; 
If  tender  thoughts  within  us  burn, 

To  feel  a  friend  is  nigh  ; 
Oh,  shall  not  warmer  accents  tell 

The  gratitude  we  owe 
To  him  who  died  our  fears  to  quell 

Who  bore  our  guilt  and  woe  ? 

Noel. 


66  SEVENTH  STEP  TOWARDS   THE 

Were  the  whole  realm  of  nature  mine, 
That  were  a  present  far  too  small ; 

Love  so  amazing,  so  divine, 

Demands  my  soul,  my  life,  my  all. 

Waits. 


5.  The  occasion  in  immediate  view 
calls  upon  me  for  the  exercise  of  a  glow- 
ing Love — of  love  to  the  Eternal  Fa- 
ther Avho  sent  his  own  clear  Son  to  re- 
deem me  and  others  from  sin  and  from 
hopeless  ruin — of  love  to  the  Son  of 
God,  the  Son  of  Man,  for  entering-  so 
cheerfully  upon  this  remarkable  and 
difficult  mission,  and  so  fully  accom- 
plishing its  most  painful  details  —  of 
love  to  the  Holy  Spirit  for  his  indispen- 
sable co-operation  with  the  Father  and 
the  Son,  in  the  grand  work  of  the  regen- 
eration and  renewal  of  my  soul  to  a  life 
spiritual  and  divine  —  of  love  to  Holi- 
ness, which  is  the  result  to  which  were 
directed  the  life  and  death  of  my  Sa- 
viour, and  to  which  are  devoted  the  life- 


COMMUNION  TABLh,  67 

giving  energies  of  the  Divine  Spirit —  of 
love  to  the  Members  of  Christ's  mystical 
body — his  disciples — who  are  bought 
with  the  same  blood  as  m^^self — renew- 
ed by  the  same  grace — intent  upon  hon- 
oring the  same  Lord — partakers  of  the 
same  hopes  for  immortality — and  trav- 
elers to  the  same  celestial  mansions — 
who  are  also  encompassed  with  similar 
trials,  and  loaded  with  similar  responsi- 
bilities, and  subject  to  similar  afflictions, 
and  needing  various  offices  of  affection. 
Na}^  farther,  it  becomes  me  to  rise 
above  the  ordinary  feelings  of  humanity, 
and  to  have  in  exercise  love  to  enemies, 
if  enemies  I  have;  because  my  Saviour 
loved  us  when  enemies;  he  prayed  for 
his  murderers,  "  Lord  forgive  them, 
they  know  not  what  they  do,"  and  he 
has  commanded  most  emphatically, 
''Love  your  enemies,"  "do  good  to 
those  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for  them 


68 


SEVENTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 


which  despitefully  use  3^ou  and  persecute 
you." 

Oh  for  grace  our  hearts  to  soften  ! 

Teach  us  Lord  at  length  to  love ; 
"We,  alas  !  forget  too  often, 

What  a  friend  we  have  above ; 
But  when  home  our  souls  are  brought, 
We  will  love  thee  as  we  ought. 

Newton. 

6.  1  must  not  go  to  the  Communion 
Table  without  a  spirit  of  allegiance 

AND  OF  CONSECRATION  TO  MY  GREAT  AND 

GOOD  Master.  I  am  to  renew  my  oath 
of  cordial  subjection  to  him  in  all  things, 
and  to  declare  my  renunciation  of  all 
conflicting  masters  and  interests — the 
world,  the  flesh,  the  Devil.  To  excite 
this  spirit  of  allegiance,  I  must  reflect, 
with  due  care  and  seriousness,  upon  the 
paramount  claims  of  my  Great  Redeem- 
er, arising  from  what  he  is  in  himself, 
from  what  he  has  been,  and  will  ahvays 
be,  to  me — from  what  he  has  done  and 


CO]\IMU^    :>i\  TABLE.  C9 

suffered  in  my  l)elialf.  Most  befitting 
then  will  it  be  for  me  to  say,  without 
reserve,  and  with  most  perfect  sincerity, 

"  Welcome,  welcome,  dear  Redeemer, 
Welcome  to  this  heart  of  mine, 

Lord  I  make  a  full  surrender. 

Every  power  and  thought  be  thine ; 

Thine  entirely, 

Through  eternal  ages,  thine." 

Anon. 


VIII. 

The  NEXT  STEP  is  to  the  Mercy-seat^ 
for  the  offering  up  of  Prayer  for  the 
presence  and  favor  of  Christ  at  his  Table. 
A  more  appropriate  one,  perhaps,  cannot 
be  written  and  presented,  than  the  fol- 
lowing, w^hicli  I  find  in  a  Book  of  Family 
Prayers,  composed  bj^  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cum- 
mincr,  ot  London. 


70  EIGHTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

prayer 

BEFORE    THE    COMMUNION. 


Heavenly  Father  !  my  God  and  my 
Father  !  search  me  and  know  my  heart; 
try  me  and  know  my  thonghts;  and  see 
if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me,  and 
lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting.  Exam- 
ine me,  O  Lord;  give  ear  to  my  suppli- 
cations; in  thy  faithfulness  answer  me, 
and  in  thy  righteousness;  and  enter  not 
into  judgment  with  th}^  servant,  for  in 
thy  sight  shall  no  man  living  be  justi- 
fied. 

Trusting  with  my  whole  heart  in  the 
finished  sacrifice  of  my  Lord  and  Sa- 
viour Jesus  Christ,  and  believing  thy 
love  to  me,  in  and  by  him,  I  would  draw 
near  to  the  Communion  Table,  or  rather 
to  mj  Saviour  at  it,  nnd  publicly  confess 


COMMUNION  TABLE.  71 

his  name,  as  my  hope;  his  cross  as  my 
glory;  and  his  death  and  meritorious 
sacrifice  as  my  life,  and  the  foundation 
of  all  my  joys  and  prospects  forever.  I 
desire  at  thy  holy  table  to  partake,  in 
yet  greater  assurance,  of  the  bod}^  and 
blood  of  my  Saviour — of  the  most  ex. 
alted  blessings  that  are  the  purcjiase  of 
that  precious  sacrifice.  Especially  do  I 
desire  to  ofler  myself — soul,  bod}'  and 
spirit — on  Christ,  the  only  Altar,  a  spir- 
itual sacrifice  to  thee,  which  is  my  rea- 
sonable service.  I  would  also  at  that 
place  of  thanksgiving — of  retrospect  and 
prospect — of  remembered  blessings  giv- 
en by  Thee,  and  hoped  for  joys  promised 
by  Thee,  praise,  and  thank,  and  mag- 
nify Thee,  with  all  my  heart,  and  soul, 
and  strength.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my 
soul,  and  forget  not  all  bis  benefits.  As 
a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  hast 
Thou  pitied  me. 

My   Lord   and   Saviour !     Prince  of 


72  EIGHTH  STEP  TOWARDS  THE 

Life  !  Lamb  of  God  !  I  bless  Thee  and 
praise  and  thank  Thee  for  thine  infinite 
love,  thy  voluntary  suffering,  sorrows, 
and  death  for  me.  I  praise  and  thank 
Thee  for  thy  resurrection  from  the  dead, 
thy  glorious  ascension,  thine  unceasing 
and  all-sufficient  intercession  for  me  in 
the  true  holy  place;  for  thy  promise  to 
come  again;  for  a  church,  and  ministry, 
and  ordinances  in  the  midst  of  us;  for 
the  holy  ordinance  of  the  Supper,  and 
for  this  opportunity  of  participating  of 
it.  Lord,  fill  my  soul  with  adoring 
gratitude  ;  with  lively  faith  ;  with  joy 
unspeakable;  with  deep  purposes  of  de- 
votedness  to  Thee;  with  earnest  desires 
and  resolutions  to  honor,  and  confess, 
and  magnify  Thee  in  the  world.  May  I 
never  be  ashamed  of  Thee.  May  I  count 
all  things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of 
the  knowledge  of  Thee.  May  I  delight 
to  make  known  thy  will  to  all  who  are 
ignorant  of  it,  and  to  spread  thy  glori- 


COMMUXmx   TABLE.  73 

ous  gospel  from  sea  to  sea,  and  to  lead 
all  within  reach  of  ni}-  means,  or  influ- 
ence, to  the  knowledge  of  Thee. 

Renew  my  heart  day  by  day.  Subdue 
within  it  the  power,  and  destroy  the  life 
of  sin.  Replenish  my  heart  with  thy 
love,  and  my  understanding  with  heav- 
enly light.  Raise  my  affections  to  thy- 
self. Purify  me  by  thy  Holy  Spirit. 
Deliver  me  from  all  evil — from  preju- 
dice, envy,  ill  will,  malice  and  all  un- 
charitableness.  Remove  from  me  the 
lust  of  the  eye,  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  the 
pride  of  life.  Make  my  heart  a  tem- 
ple for  thy  dwelling;  and  wherever  thy 
providence  may  place  me,  may  I  have 
grace  to  serve  Thee,  as  I  fully  purpose 
to  glorify  and  honor  Thee,  and  to  con- 
fess thy  name  and  do  thy  will. 

Perfect  thy  strength  in  my  weakness. 
Guide  me  with  thy  counsel.  Hold  me 
by  thy  right  hand,  and  when  heart  and 


EIGHTH  STEP  TO  THE  C03I]\:  UNION  TABLE. 

flesh  faint  and  fail,  be  the  strength  of 
my  heart,  and  my  portion  forever. 

I  go  forward  in  thy  strength,  O  God, 
my  Father  in  heaven. 

I  clothe  myself  in  thy  righteousness, 
and  wash  m^^  hands  in  thy  innocency, 
O  Son  of  God. 

I  look  for  thy  grace,  and  comfort,  and 
inspiration,  and  joy,  and  peace,  Eternal 
and  ever-blessed  Spirit. 

O  God  of  the  saints  in  glory,  and  of 
the  saints  on  earth — one  church — be  my 
shield  and  fortress,  and  high  tower,  my 
present  and  eternal  rest. 

In  the  name  of  the  only  Saviour,  I 
pray  and  beg  for  all.     Amen. 


THE  REST      AY 


For  thee  we  long  and    ray, 
0  blessed  Sabbath  morn  ! 
And  all  the  week  we  say, 
0 !  when  wilt  thou  return  i 
Come,  come  avv^ay, 
Day  of  glad  rest. 
Of  days  the  best 
Sweet  Sabbath  day  I 

Thou  tellest  us  how  Christ 

Arose  and  left  the  tomb  ; 
And  all  the  week  we  say 

0  !  when  will  Sabbath  come  ? 

Thou  tellest  of  a  rest, 

A  peaceful,  happy  home. 
When  tX\  the  saints  are  blesc; 

0 !  wl  en  will  Sabba  th  come 

Bon  AH 


PART  II. 

WHAT  IS  TO  BE  SEEN,  AND  FELT,  AND 
DONE,  AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE 


AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE. 


Having  enumerated  the  several  steps 
to  be  taken,  in  order  to  an  acceptable 
and  appropriate  attendance  at  the  Com- 
munion Table,  I  now  suppose  you  to  be 
occupying  a  seat  there  with  your  fellow 
communicants,  and  to  be  about  to  par- 
ticipate with  them  in  the  spiritual  ban- 
quet. The  table  is  in  full  view  before 
you.  It  is  your  privilege,  and  your  duty, 
to  look  attentively  at  what  3'our  eyes 
behold  upon  it — the  loaf  of  bread — the 
cup  of  wine — a  visible,  simple,  impres- 
sive representation  of  the  most  wonder- 
ful scene  of  suffering  and  of  love  the 
world  ever  beheld — the  death  of  the 
God-Man — the  incarnate  Son  of  God. 
You  see  him  not  with  the  bodily  eye  ; 
but  you  are  now  to  open  the    eye  of 


80  AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE. 

Faith,  and  you  will  distinctly  and  gladly 
see  that  he  is  spiritually  and  really 
present,  and  that  he  extends  to  you  a 
most  gracious  welcome,  and  is  al)ont  to 
offer  himself  with  all  his  rich  endow- 
ments and  heavenl}'  gifts  to  your  accep- 
tance— that  he  is  present  to  commune 
with  you — to  instruct,  and  strengthen, 
and  comfort  you — to  establish  3'ou  in 
every  moral  exccllem-e  and  Christian 
grace — to  give  you  a  foretaste  of  the 
marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb.  Hearken 
to  that  voice  which  has  been  gladdening 
the  Church  for  many  centuries,  "  Lo,  I 
am  with  you  alway  to  the  end  of  the 
world." 
Here,  0  my  Lord,  I  see  Thee  face  to  face ; 

Here  would  I  touch  and  handle  things  unseen; 
Here  grasp  with  firmer  hand  the  eternal  grace, 

And  all  my  weariness  upon  Tliee  lean. 

Here  would  I  feed  upon  the  Bread  of  God; 

Here  drink  with  Thee  the  royal  vine  of  heaven; 
Here  would  I  lay  aside  each  earthly  load. 

Here  taste  afresh  the  calm  of  sin  forgiven. 


AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE. 


81 


This  is  the  hour  of  banquet  and  of  song, 
This  is  the  heavenly  table  spread  for  me, 

Here  let  me  feast,  and,  feasting,  still  prolong 
The  brief  bright  hour  of  fellowship  with  Thee. 

Too  soon  we  rise;  the  symbols  disappear;  [gone; 

The  feast,  though  not  the  love,  is  passed  and 
The  bread  and  wine  remove,  but  Thou  art  here. 

Nearer  than  ever, — still  my  shield  and  sun. 

I  have  no  help  but  thine ;  nor  do  I  need 
Another  arm  save  Thine  to  lean  upon. 

It  is  enough,  my  Lord,  enough,  indeed ; 

My  strength  is  in  thy  might — thy  might  alone. 

Feast  after  feast  thus  comes  and  passes  by. 
Yet,  passing,  points  to  the  glad  feast  above. 

Giving  sweet  foretaste  of  the  festal  joy. 

The  Lamb's  great  bridal  feast  of  bliss  and  love. 

BONAR. 


NoAv  is  the  time  for  Eaenest,  Ej  icu- 
LATORY,  Silent  Prayee  to  the  Great 
Master  of  the  assembly,  in  some  such 
mamier  as  this  : — 

Blessed  and  adorable  Master,  upon 
thine  own  gracious  invitation,  we  have 


oJ  AT  THE  C02IMUNI0N  TABLE. 

come  together  to  meet  Thee  iit  thy  table 
— to  hold  devout  converse  Avith  Ihee — 
to  olier  our  lowly  adoration  and  piaise 
of  thine  infinite  excellence,  of  thy  match- 
less love  and  nnparalleledgrace — to  look 
to  Thee  as  the  author  and  the  linisher  of 
our  faith — the  propitiation  of  our  sins — 
our  mightiest  and  kindest  Friend — our 
Saviour  and  our  God. 

We  believe  that  Thou,  according  to 
Thy  promise,  art  in  the  midst  of  us,  and 
that  Thou  rememberest  us  while  we  are 
called  upon  to  remember  Thee.  Give 
us  not  only  a  reverential,  but  a  joyous 
sense  of  thy  presence  ;  conlidence  in  thy 
condescension  to  our  ignorance  and  fee- 
bleness ;  hope  in  thy  mercy;  and  full 
ability  to  transact  what  belongs  to  this 
solemn  occasion. 

Impart  to  us  all  that  calmness,  and 
serenity,  and  composure  of  mind,  Avhich 
shall  prepare  us  to  hold  communion 
with  Thee,  and  with  one  another ;  and 


AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE.  83 

to  consider  and  to  meditate  upon  the 
ofreat  truths  and  facts  that  are  now  to 
be  suggested  to  us  in  this  holy  ordinance. 

Grant  us  such  a  sense  of  Thy  sutfer- 
ings  in  our  behalf — and  on  account  of 
our  sins — that  we  maybe  truly  humbled 
before  Thee,  may  be  penitent  and  con- 
trite, may  be  grateful  and  devout,  and 
be  ready  to  make  a  new  and  unreserved 
consecration  of  ourselves  to  Thy  service 
and  kingdom.  Banish  the  Vvorld  and 
all  its  trilling  concerns  from  our  minds, 
and  let  them  be  absorbed  in  the  contem- 
plation of  the  scene  before  us,  and  in 
the  consideration  of  its  solemn  lessons. 

And  thou,  Holy  Spirit,  from  whom 
all  good  thoughts,  all  pure  desires,  all 
holy  aifections  and  purposes  proceed — 
Oh,  Thou,  who  takest  of  the  things  of 
Christ  and  showest  them  to  our  dark 
minds  with  illuminating  and  transform- 
ing power,  operate  now  upon  our  hearts, 
so  that  we  may  truly  honor  our  Redeem- 


84  AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE. 

er  by  appropriate  offerings  of  the  mind 
and  heart — may  grow  in  grace — and 
find  it  good  to  be  here. 

And  thou,  Father  of  mercies,  and 
God  of  all  hope  and  joy,  the  God  and 
Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  draw 
nigh,  and  bless  to  our  own  spiritual 
nourishment  and  strength,  the  provision 
of  our  Eedeemer's  table.  Help  us  to 
commune  with  him,  and  so  to  receive 
the  benefits  of  his  death  here  set  forth, 
that  we  shall  rejoice  in  Him  as  the 
Chiefest  of  ten  thousands,  and  the  One 
altogether  lovely. 

Thus  may  our  communion  be  with  the 
Father,  with  the  Son,  and  with  the  Holy 
Ghost ;  and  may  the  grace  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God,  and 
the  fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost  be 
with  us  now  and  also  forever.  Amen. 


It  is  possible  that  some  of  my  readers 
may  be  in  a  desponding  and  distrustful 


A  T  THE  COMMUNION  TABL  E.  85 

state,  under  a  sense  of  personal  un- 
worthiness,  and  may  thus  be  unfitted 
for  a  spontaneous,  frank,  and  ingenu- 
ous devotion  of  mind  and  heart  to  the 
demands  of  the  occasion.  To  such  I 
recommend  the  use  of  the  lines  that 
follow  : — 

Just  as  I  am — without  one  plea, 
But  that  Thy  blood  was  shed  for  me, 
And  that  Thou  bid'st  me  come  to  Thee, 
0  Lamb  of  God,  I  come,  I  come. 

Just  as  I  am — and  waiting  not 
To  rid  my  soul  of  one  dark  blot. 
To  Thee  whose  blood  can  cleanse  each  spot, 
Oh,  Lamb  of  God,  I  come,  I  come. 

Just  as  I  am — though  tossed  about 
With  many  a  conflict,  many  a  doubt, 
Fightings  within  and  fears  without. 
Oh  Lamb  of  God,  I  come,  I  come. 

Just  as  I  am — poor,  wretched,  blind, 
Sight,  riches,  healing  of  the  mind, 
Yea,  all  I  need,  in  Thee  to  find. 
Oh  Lamb  of  God,  I  come,  I  come. 

Just  as  I  am — Thou  wilt  receive, 
Wilt  welcome,  pardon,  cleanse,  relieve ; 
Because  Thy  promise  I  believe, 
Oh  Lamb  of  God,  I  come,  I  come. 

C.  Elliot. 


86  AT  THE  COMMU.MON  TABLE. 

DISTRIBUTION  OF  THE  BREAD. 
As  I  handle  and  partake  of  this  bro- 
ken bread,  I  am  tenderly  reminded  of 
the  agonies  of  the  garden  and  of  the 
cross — of  the  vast  cost  of  my  soul's  sal- 
vation— of  the  immense  evil  of  sin — of 
my  own  sins — of  the  love  that  prompted 
my  Saviour  at  such  expense  to  rescue 
me  and  others  from  the  wrath  to  come — 
and  of  the  eternity  of  grateful  service 
which  I  owe  to  him  for  what  he  has 
done  and  suffered  in  m}'  behalf. 

I  feed  by  faith  on  Christ,  my  bread, 
His  body  broken  on  the  tree ; 
I  live  in  Ilim,  my  loving  head, 
Who  died  and  rose  again  for  me. 
This  be  my  joy  and  comfort  here, 
This  pledge  of  future  glory  mine; 
Jesus,  in  spirit  now  appear. 
And  break  the  bread  and  pour  the  wine ! 

From  thy  dear  hand  may  I  receive 
The  tokens  of  Thy  dying  love ; 
And  while  I  feast  on  earth,  believe 
That  I  shall  feast  with  Thee  above. 

MOXTGOMEBT, 


AT  THE  COMMUNIOh   TABLE.  87 

Lord  Jesus,  tliou  art  the  Biead  of 
Life — thou  art  the  life  of  my  soul;  and, 
but  for  thy  sacrifice  here  set  forth,  I 
must  have  perished  forever.  In  that 
sacrifice  I  trust  for  my  salvation. 

O  Lord,  thou  art  all  my  dependence, 
and  my  hope — I  renounce  all  other 
means  of  salvation.  My  own  righteous- 
ness is  as  filthy  rags,  but  thine  is  perfect, 
and  it  is  here  graciousl}^  offered  to  me. 
I  gladly  accept  it,  and  depend  upon  it 
alone  for  my  justification  before  God. 

Lord  I  receive  this  broken  bread,  the 
emblem  of  thy  body,  in  remembrance 
of  thy  wonderful  incarnation  and  expia- 
tory sufferings,  and  I  feel  constrained  to 
promise  that  while  I  trust  only  in  thy 
meritorious  obedience  and  death,  I  will, 
by  thy  needed  help,  live  henceforth  not 
to  myself  nor  to  the  world,  but  to  Him 
who  has  bought  me  with  his  most  prec- 
ious blood. 


88  AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE. 

While  we  thus  with  glad  accord 
Meet  around  thy  table,  Lord, 
Bid  us  feast  with  joy  divine, 
On  the  appointed  bread  and  wine; 
Emblems  may  they  truly  prove 
Of  the  Saviour's  bleeding  love  ! 

Weak,  unworthy,  sinful,  vile. 
Yet  we  seek  thy  heavenly  smile. 
Can'st  thou  all  our  sins  forgive  ? 
Dost  thou  bid  us  look  and  live  ? 
Lord  we  wonder  and  adore  ! 
Oh,  for  grace  to  love  thee  more  ! 

Hastings. 


DISTRIBUTION  OF  THE  CUP. 

With  this  sacred  cup  in  my  hand,  the 
wine  representing  the  blood  of  Christ — 
God  incarnate — I  am  solemnly  reminded 
that  my  Saviour  purchased  my  redemp- 
tion with  his  own  blood.  How  infinite, 
then,  the  value  of  that  blood  !  Hoav 
marvellous  its  efficiicy  !  Without  it,  no 
remission  oi'  sins  I     Without  it  no  peace 


AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLL  89 

with  God,  and  no  regenerating  grace, 
no  heavenly  guidance  in  lite,  no  comfort 
and  safety  in  death,  nothing  but  "the 
blaclvuess  of  darkness  forever  !" 

But  now  this  blood  makes  expiation 
for  my  sins  ;  this  is  the  blood  of  the 
New  Covenant  ;  this  procures  for  me 
all  its  unspeakable  blessings.  There- 
fore, my  Saviour,  as  this  blood  was  shed 
for  me,  and  clean seth  from  all  sin,  and  as 
my  trust  is  placed  in  its  perfect  efficacy, 
cleanse  thou  me  from  all  my  sins,  secure 
my  justification  and  acquittal  before  God, 
and  be  to  me  all  that  thou  hast  declared 
thyself  to  be  to  those  who  shall  be  saved 
b}^  thee.  Be  thou  to  me  of  God,  wisdom, 
and  righteousness,  and  sanctification,  and 
redemption. 

All  honor  and  praise  be  to  Thee  for 
thine  unspeakable  love,  and  for  all  the 
blessings  it  has  purchased  for  us,  and 
proffered,  and  secured  to  us  already, 
and  for  the  more  perfect   happiness  it 


90  AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE. 

has  provided  for  us  in  the   everlasting 
ages  before  us. 

May  I  die  unto  sin,  as  thou  didst  die 
for  it,  and  may  I  nenceforth,  in  obedi- 
ence to  thy  commandments,  to  thy  ex- 
ample, and  to  the  design  of  thy  suffer- 
ings and  death,  live  unto  Thee,  and  for 
Thee.  And  may  the  life  Avhich  I  live  in 
the  flesh  be  a  life  of  faith  in  the  Son  of 
God  who  loved  me,  and  gave  himself 
for  me. 

Once  again  beside  the  cross, 
All  my  gain  I  count  but  loss ; 
Earthly  pleasures  fade  awaj'', 
Clouds  they  are  that  hide  my  day; 
Hence  vain  shadows !  let  me  see 
Jesus  crucified  for  me. 

From  beneath  that  thorny  crown 
Trickle  drops  of  cleansing  down ; 
Pardon  from  thy  pierced  hand 
Kow  I  take  while  here  I  stand ; 
Only  then  I  live  to  thee 
*V\'hen  thy  wounded  side  I  see , 


AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE.  91 

Blessed  Saviour  !  thine  am  I, 
Thine  to  live,  and  thine  to  die ; 
Height  or  depth,  or  earthly  power 
Ke'er  shall  hide  my  Saviour  more ; 
Ever  shall  my  glory  be. 
Only,    only,    only   Thee ! 

DUFFIELD 


"As  oft  as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and  drink 
this  cup,  jQ  do  show  forth  the  Lord's 
death  till  he  come."  Thus  have  I  been 
permitted  to  do  my  humble  part  in  pub- 
lishing, and  keeping  in  mind,  the  great- 
est, the  saddest,  but  in  its  effects  the 
most  glorious,  of  all  events,  the  Death 
of  Christ,  endured  vol  untarih',  raid  with 
most  disinterested  love,  for  a  world  of 
condemned  sinners,  for  whom  there  is 
no  other  ground  of  hope,  and  for  whom 
there  can  be  no  other. 

1  am  also  strengthened  in  the  belief, 
and  1  make  a  renewed  profession  of  my 
belief,  in  that  grandest  of  events,  the 
Second    Cominq   of  my   Lovd^  in   the 


92  AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE. 

clouds  of  heaven,  with  his  mighty  angels, 
and  the  trump  that  shall  wake  the  dead, 
and  call  to  judgment  the  living  and  the 
dead. 

'Tis  but  a  little  while 

And  He  shall  come  again, 
Who  died  that  we  might  live,  who  lives 

That  we  may  reign. 
Then,  0  my  Lord  prepare 

My  soul  for  that  glad  day ; 
Oh,  wash  me  in  thy  precious  blood, 

And  take  my  sins  away. 

BOXAR. 


And  now,  let  me  review  the  scene  that 
has,  in  tJiis  reUgious  rite,  been  brought 
before  my  mind — let  mc  by  a  strength- 
ened faith,  "  look  unto  Jesus." 

In  the  language  of  Bishop  Wilson, 
He  was  despised  and  rejected  of  men ; 
his  life  was  sought  for  by  Ilerod  ;  he 
w^as  tempted  by  Satan  ;  hated  by  the 
world  wliich  he  came  to  save  ;  set  at 
naught  by  his  own  people  ;    called  a 


AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE.  93 

deceiver,  and  a  dealer  with  the  devil ; 
was  driven  from  place  to  place,  and  had 
not  where  to  lay  his  head  ;  betrayed  by 
one  disciple,  and  forsaken  by  all  the 
rest  ;  folsely  accused,  spit  upon,  and 
scourged ;  set  at  naught  by  Herod  and 
his  men  of  war  ,•  given  up  by  Pikxte  to 
the  will  of  his  enemies  ;  had  a  murderer 
preferred  before  him;  was  condemned 
to  a  most  cruel  and  shameful  death  ; 
was  crucified  between  two  thieves  ;  was 
reviled  in  the  midst  of  his  tormentors  ; 
had  o-all  and  vinegar  oiven  him  to  drink: 
suffered  a  most  bitter  death,  submitting 
with  patience  to  the  will  of  his  Heaven- 
ly Father. 


On  this  occasion,  it  may  be  presumed 
that  communicants  have  uncommonly 
near  access  to  their  Saviour,  in  the  ex- 
ercise of  faith  and  love,  and  hoh^  zeal. 
Is  it  not  then  a  most  fitting  and  favora- 
ble time  to  make  suppliration  for  all 


94  AT  THE  COMMUNICY  TABLE. 

those  blessings,  temporal  or  spiritual, 
Avliich  we  feel  we  most  stand  in  need  of, 
and  to  make  special  intercession  for 
others — for  our  pastor  and  his  increased 
usefulness  ;  for  the  conversion  of  our 
unconverted  relatives  and  acquaintances 
by  name  ;  for  all  the  baptized  but  un- 
sanctified  children  of  our  church  ;  for 
all  the  impenitent  members  of  our  con- 
gregation ;  for  all  the  spiritual  interests 
of  the  church  and  congregation,  and 
community  ;  for  the  general  outpouring 
of  God's  Spirit  throughout  our  land  and 
the  world  ? 


The  poor  of  Chrisfs  Church  are  also 
very  properly,  on  this  occasion,  to  he 
tenderly  rememhered  in  our  praj'crs,  and 
in  our  alms,  to  be  appropriated  for  their 
relief,  support,  and  comfort,  while  they 
pursue  their  pilgrimage  through  this 
Aveary  world  to  the  better  world  ou 
high,  where  they  shall  hunger  no  mere, 


AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE.  95 

and  sorrow  no  more,  and  no  more  be 
dependent  on  the  contributions  of  the 
church,  Ijut  where  they  shall  be  enrich- 
ed with  the  wealth  and  the  abundance 
of  the  heavenly  inheritance.  "  We 
know  that  we  have  passed  from  death 
unto  life,  because  we  love  the  brethren. 
He  that  loveth  not  his  brother,  abideth 
in  death.  Whoso  hath  this  world's 
good,  and  seeth  his  brother  have  need, 
and  shutteth  up  his  boAvels  of  compas- 
sion from  him,  how  dwelleth  the  love 
of  God  in  him  ?  "     1  John,  iii. 

Oh  may  our  sympathizing  breasts. 
The  generous  pleasure  know, 

Kindly  to  share  in  others' joy. 
And  weep  for  others'  woe  ! 

When  the  most  helpless  sons  of  grief 

In  low  distress  are  laid, 
Soft  be  our  hearts  their  pains  to  feel, 

And  swift  our  hands  to  aid. 

Doddridge. 


96  AT  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE. 

What  more  fitting  act,  in  the  close  of 
this  solemn  and  affecting  administration 
of  the  ordinance,  than  to  lift  up  heart 
and  voice  in^jraz^e  and  thanksgiving  to 
our  great  and  condescending  Redeemer^ 
for  his  unuttera])le  love  ;  for  the  mani- 
fold proofs  of  it — present,  past,  and  still 
future;  and  for  the  high  privilege  of  our 
having  enjoyed  one  more  such  opportu- 
nity of  intimate  spiritual  fellowship  with 
Him,  and  with  his  redeemed  people  ? 

From  the  table  now  returning, 

Which  for  us  the  Lord  hath  spread, 

May  our  souls  refreshment  finding, 
Grow  in  all  things  like  our  head  I 

His  example  by  beholding 

May  our  lives  his  image  bear; 

Him  our  Lord  and  Master  calling 
His  commands  may  we  revere. 

Love  to  God  and  man  displaying, 
Walking  steadfast  in  his  way, 

Joy  attend  us  in  believing, 

Peace  from  God  through  endless  day. 

Praise  and  honor  to  the  Father, 
Praise  and  honor  to  the  Son, 

Praise  and  honor  to  the  Spirit, 

Ever  Three,  and  ever  One.  Anon. 


PART  III 


WHAT  IS  TO  BE  DONE  UPON  WITHDRAW- 
ING  FROM  THE  COMMUNION  TABLE. 


WHAT  IS  TO  BE  DONE  \J?0^  WIT1IDII^\YI]\^G 
FROM  THE  COMMUiXIO^^  TABLE. 


The  disciples  of  Christ  at  the  Com- 
muuion  Table  are  in  some  respects  like 
the  favored  Apostles  on  the  Mount, 
when  they  beheld  our  Lord's  Transfigu- 
ration— a  splendor  by  which  they  were 
assisted  to  comprehend  the  glory  which 
He  had  with  the  Father  before  the  world 
was.  Such  views  of  Christ  are  jr^ined 
at  the  Communion  Table,  and  such  im- 
pressions of  all  that  relates  to  his  Person, 
work,  and  glory,  as  can  be  gained  no 
where  else. 

But  we  must  descend  from  the  mount 
of  spiritual  vision  and  enjoyment,  and 
mingle  again  in  other  scenes,  not  so 
friendly  to  our  progress  in  the  divine 
life.     We  must  breathe  a  moral  atmos- 


100  AFTER  THE  COMMUNION. 

phere  less  pure.  No  small  pains,  there- 
fore, will  be  needed,  to  retain  the  good 
impressions  we  have  received,  and  to 
pursue  the  Christian  course  to  which  we 
have  renewed  our  solemn  pledge.  It 
becomes  us,  then,  to  consider  what  is  to 
be  done  after  Avith drawing  from  this 
sacred  place,  where  we  have  had  wdth 
Christ  and  his  brethren,  so  important, 
so  profitable,  so  delightful  an  interview. 
Let  me  reflect,  then,  that  the  main 
purpose  of  our  religious  gathering  on 
this  occasion,  was  to  do  certain  acts  in 
remembrance  of  Christ,  and  that  said 
purpose  has  been  lar  from  being  answer- 
ed, if  such  remembrance  extend  not  be- 
yond the  ol)servance  of  the  solemn  rite. 
The  evident  design  of  that  rite  was,  and 
is,  to  assist  us  to  maintain  an  Imhitudl 
and  daily  remembrance  of  our  8aviom% 
and  of  all  that  pertains  to  his  offices,  and 
kingdom,  so  that  we  may  always  act 
with  due  respect  to  his  will,  and   con- 


AT  THE  COMMUNION  101 

form  ourselves  to  the  design  of  his  death, 
and  further  his  cause  in  the  world. 

When  the  Sabbath  is  past,  with  its  so- 
lemnities, the  most  difficult  part  of  our 
work  begins  :  which  is,  to  exemplify  in 
our  daily  life  all  the  appropriate  results 
of  our  communion  with  the  holy  Ee- 
deemer  in  this  ordinance.  It  has  been 
well  remarked,  that  "  when  we  come 
down  from  this  mount,  we  must  (as 
Moses  did)  bring  the  tables  of  the  tcsti- 
moii}^  with  us  in  our  hands,  that  we  may 
in  all  things  have  respect  to  God's  com- 
mandments and  frame  our  lives  accord- 
ing to  them.  Then  we  truly  get  good 
by  this  ordinance,  when  we  are  made 
better  by  it,  and  use  it  daily  as  a  bridle 
of  restraint  to  keep  us  from  all  manner 
of  sin,  a  spur  to  put  us  on  to  all  manner 
of  duty."  It  has  been  further  remarked, 
that  "  the  Lord's  Supper  was  instituted, 
as  a  powerful  argument  [at  all  times] 
against  every  thing  that  is  evil,  and  a 


102  AFTER  THE  COMMU.mON. 

prevailing  inducement  to  everything  that 
is  good.  In  this  sense  we  mast  bear 
a1)out  with  us  continually  '  the  dying  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,'  so  as  that  '  the  life  also 
of  Jesus  may  be  manifested  in  our  mortal 
bodies  (2  Cor.  4  :  10).'  We  must  see  to 
it  that  there  be  an  agreement  between 
our  performances  at  the  Lord's  Table, 
and  at  other  times,  and  that  we  do  not 
undo  in  our  living,  what  we  have  done 
in  our  devotions." 

Care  then  must  be  taken,  and  silent 
prayer  offered,  on  retiring  from  the  sanc- 
tuary, that  I  may  be  able  to  coniine  my 
thoughts  to  the  subjects  upon  which  they 
have  been  dAvelling  at  the  Lord's  table, 
and  that  I  may  not  alloAV  them  to  be 
dissipated  at  once  by  conversation  upon 
worldly  topics,  so  as  to  weaken  the  good 
impressions  that  mny  hzive  been  received. 

It  seems  very  desirable  to  retire,  as 
soon  as  practicable,  to  one's  private 
room,  and  thus  to  spend  at  least  an  hour 


AFTER  THE  COMMUNION.  103 

or  two,  in  calmly  reviewing  what  we 
have  just  seen,  and  heard,  and  felt  in  the 
sanctuar}' — and  in  marking  out  and  pon- 
dering the  course  most  proper  to  be 
pursued  when  we  shall  enter  again  into 
the  business  and  various  pursuits  of  life. 

Meditations  and  plans  like  the  follow- 
ing-^ seem  to  be  appropriate,  and  useful 
in  their  tendency. 

1.  I  have  reason  to  bless  and  praise 
God  for  the  special  mercies  of  tlds  day^ 
and  to  ask  why  he  has  favored  me  with 
an  approach  to  the  King  of  Kings,  and 
with  such  marks  of  the  loving  kindness 
and  beneficence  of  my  condescending 
Saviour.  What,  but  the  matchless  grace 
of  God,  has  made  me  to  differ  from 
the  vast  multitudes  Avho  see  in  Christ 
no  preciousness,  who  have  never  been 
moved  to  repentance  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross,  nor  induced  to  glory  in  that  cross, 
as  having  crucified  them  to  the  world 
and  the  world  to  them  ?     Had  not  the 


104  AFTER  THE  COMMUNION. 

Holy  Spirit  taken  of  the  things  of  Christ, 
and  caused  me  to  see  in  some  degree 
their  mispeakable  worth,  I  should  have 
had  no  disposition  to  accept  the  invita- 
tion upon  which  1  have  acted  to-day, 
hut  should  have  turned  my  back  like  too 
many  others,  upon  the  Table  of  the  Lord, 
and  thus  have  given  just  oflence  to 
Him,  and  greatly  wronged  my  own  soul. 
Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  forget 
not  all  his  benefits.     Ps.  103. 

Everlasting  praises 

To  the  Father  be  ! 
Everlasting  praises 

To  the  Saviour  be ! 
Everlasting  praises 

To  the  Spirit  be 
Everlasting  praises 

To  the  blessed  Trinity  ! 

Everlasting  praises 

For  the  Father's  love  ! 
Everlasting  praises 

For  the  Saviour's  love  ! 
Everlasting  praises 

For  the  Spirit's  love ! 
Everlasting  praises 

To  the  Three-One  God  of  love ! 


AFTER  THE  COMMUNION.  105 

2.  Let  me  consider  ')ny  infinite  obli- 
gation to  God  the  Father^  for  sending 
his  Son  into  the  world,  and  delivering: 
him  up  to  an  ignominious  death,  that 
whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life. 

Let  me  reflect  also  upon  liJce  obliga- 
tion to  the  Son  of  God,  for  so  readily 
complying  with  the  Avill  of  the  Father 
in  the  pursuit  of  my  salvation.  To 
those  who  believe,  (as  the  apostle  Peter 
declares)  Christ  is  precious.  Let  me 
think  again  of  the  particulars  that 
should  ever  endear  him  to  my  soul. 

I  lay  my  sins  on  Jesus, 

The  spotless  Lamb  of  God ; 
He  bears  them  all  and  frees  us 

From  the  accursed  load. 
I  bring  my  guilt  to  Jesus, 

To  wash  my  crimson  stains 
White  in  his  blood  most  precious, 

TiU  not  a  stain  reiaains. 


106  AFTER  THE  COMMUNION. 

I  lay  my  wants  on  Jesus; 

All  fullness  dwells  in  him. 
He  heals  all  my  diseases, 

He  doth  my  soul  redeem  ; 
I  lay  my  griefs  on  Jesus, 

My  burdens  and  my  cares  ; 
He  from  them  all  releases, 

He  all  my  sorrow  shares. 

I  rest  my  soul  on  Jesus, 

This  weary  soul  of  mine ; 
His  right  hand  me  embraces, 

I  on  his  breast  recline. 
I  love  the  name  of  Jesus, 

Immanuel,  Christ,  the  Lord ; 
Like  fragrance  on  the  breezes. 

His  name  abroad  is  poured. 

I  long  to  be  with  Jesus, 

INIeek,  loving,  lowly,  mild, 
I  long  to  be  like  Jesus, 

The  Father's  holy  child. 
I  long  to  be  with  Jesus, 

Amid  the  heavenly  throng, 
To  sing  with  saints  his  praises. 

To  learn  the  angels'  song. 

BONAR. 

3.  Let   me    enumerate    some    of   the 


AFTER   THE  COMMUNION.  107 

benefits  which  have  been  confirmed  to 
me,  if  really  his  disciple, — justification, 
progress  in  sanctification,  adoption  into 
the  fiimily  of  God,  hope,  joy,  peace, 
consolation,  support,  guidance,  protec- 
tion, the  niahiue:  all  thiiio-s  work  toijeth- 
er  for  my  good,  and  everlasting  honor 
and  glory  in  tiie  world  to  come. 

4.  Let  me  inquire  whether  I  am  not 
chargeable  with  (/reat  defects  and  iveaJc- 
ness,  in  the  states  of  mind  and  heart 
with  which  I  have  appeared  before  my 
Saviour  this  day  ?  Have  I  not  been 
sensible  of  wandering  thoughts,  and  of 
great  feebleness  in  my  spiritual  desires, 
affections,  hopes  and  purposes  ?  Truly 
my  best  endeavors  have  proved  nearly 
a  failure — at  least  an  occasion  of  self- 
reproach  and  humiliation.  It  becomes 
me  then  to  cast  mj^self  anew  upon  the 
forgiving  mercy  of  God,  through  Jesus 
Christ,  and  to  implore  acceptance  onlj' 
for  his  sake. 


108  AFTER   THE  COMMUNION. 

5.  It  behooves  me  henceforth  to  oe 
mo7'e  resolute  and  constant  in  crucifying 
the  flesh  with  the  affections  and  lusts;  iu 
avoiding  all  sins  that  easily  beset  me  ; 
in  presenting  my  body,  as  well  as  soul, 
a  living  sacrifice  to  God,  to  be  conform- 
ed to  his  will  ;  for  I  have  this  day  re- 
newed the  declaration  that  I  am  "  not 
my  own,"  but  have  been  "bought  with 
a  price,"  and  so  am  under  constant  obli- 
gations to  glorify  God  in  my  body  and 
in  my  spirit  which  are  his. 

6.  In  all  circumstances  of  tefmptation 
it  will  help  me  to  avoid  compliance^  by 
remembering  that  I  have  been  at  the 
Communion  Table  ;  that  I  have  profess- 
ed myself  a  follower  of  Him  who  is 
holy,  harmless,  undefiled,  and  separate 
from  sinners,  and  who  died  for  me,  that 
I  might  not  live  unto  myself,  but  unto 
Him. 

What  I  have  promised  to-day  to  do, 
in  obedience  to  him,  let  me  now  pur- 


AFTER  THE  COMMUNION.  109 

pose  to  abide  by,  and  to  carry  out,  so 
far  as  Christ  shall  give  me  strength,  re- 
membering that  my  obligations  are 
rendered  greater  in  consequence  of  the 
privileges  this  day  enjoyed.  I  have 
said  that  I  will  serve  the  Lord,  and 
hence  I  should  ever  be  firmly  determin- 
ed for  Christ  and  holiness,  against  sin, 
the  world,  and  Satan.  As  good  old 
Matthew  Henry  writes  :  "No  room  is 
left  to  parley  with  temptation  ;  I  am  a 
Christian,  and  by  the  grace  of  God  a 
Christian,  I  will  live  and  die ;  and 
therefore  '  get  thee  behind  me  Satan, 
thou  art  an  offence  unto  me.'  I  have 
opened  my  mouth  unto  the  Lord,  and  I 
cannot  go  back,  (Judges  11  :  35),  there- 
fore, by  the  grace  of  God,  I  am  determ- 
ined to  go  forward,  and  not  so  much  as 
look  back,  or  wish  for  a  discharge  from 
those  engagements." 

7.  Experience    and    Scripture    both 
teach  me  the  s^pecial  imjportance  of  being 


no  AFTFR  THE  COMMUNION. 

on  my  guard,  after  the  Commuiiion, 
against  the  wiles  of  Satan,  the  cares  and 
allurements  of  the  world,  and  the  deceiv- 
uhleness  of  my  own  heart.  It  has  been 
remarked  that  immediately  after  our 
Saviour  was  baptized,  and  owned  to  be 
the  Son  of  God  by  a  voice  from  heaven, 
he  was  led  into  the  wilderness  to  be 
tempted  of  the  Devil — and  that  as  soon 
as  our  Lord  had  administered  the  sup- 
per to  his  Apostles,  he  announced  to 
them,  "  Satan  hath  desired  to  have  you, 
that  he  may  sift  you  as  wheat  (Luke, 
22  :  21),"  and  soon  afterwards  he  added, 
"  Watch  and  pray  that  ye  enter  not  into 
temptation  (Matt.  26  :  41)." 

The  enjoyment  even  of  the  rich  priv- 
ileges and  advantages  of  this  great 
Christian  feast,  is  no  security,  therefore, 
against  the  power  of  adverse  influences, 
but  is  rather  a  ground  of  my  expecting 
to  be  severely  put  to  the  test.  Hence 
I  must  be   doubly  on  my  guard  from 


AFTER  THE  COMMUNION .  Ill 

henceforth,  that  in  my  temper,  my 
words,  and  my  actions,  I  do  nothing  in- 
consistent with  my  profession  and  char- 
acter as  a  Christian. 

If  aught  should  tempt  my  soul  to  stray, 
From  heavenly  wisdom's  narrow  way. 
To  fly  the  good  I  would  pursue, 

Or  do  the  things  I  would  not  do; 
May  He  who  felt  temptation's  power. 
Still  guard  me  in  that  dangerous  hour ! 

Grant. 
8.  It  is  important  to  recall  the  'purposes 
formed^  and  the  engagements  made  to- 
day; to  pray  daily  to  God  for  grace  to 
accomplish  theiin  ;  for  grace  to  confirm 
the  good  impressions  made  upon  me  ; 
for  grace  to  furnish  me  for  all  good 
words  and  works  ;  and,  on  the  other 
hand,  to  restrain  me  from  those  that  are 
wrono^  and  hurtful. 

I  must  not  forget  that  worldly  inter- 
course, and  worldly  pursuits  must  prove 
unfriendly  to  a  proper  course  of  Chris- 
tian living,  unless  great  care  and  much 


112  AFTER  THE  COMMUNION. 

prayerfulness  he  employed  against  such 
a  result.  Hence  our  Saviour,  when 
about  to  leave  his  disciples,  prayed,  not 
that  they  might  be  taken  out  of  the 
world,  but  that  they  might  be  kept 
from  the  evil  thereof. 

9.  One  good  result  of  the  Commun- 
ion, should  be  to  lead  me  to  cultivate  a 
laiyer  degree  of  brotherly  love.,  and  to 
live  in  kindly  fellowship  with  all  who 
profess  themselves  Christians  ;  and, 
further,  to  maintain  towards  all  men, 
even  the  injurious,  a  larger  degree  of 
sincere  benevolence,  and  to  do  them  such 
good  offices  as  the  golden  law  of  Christ 
requires. 

I  must,  for  this  purpose,  bear  in  mind 
the  love  that  Christ  himself  has  shown 
to  my  fellow-disciples,  and  the  benevo- 
lence he  has  displayed  towards  all  men, 
even  his  bitter  enemies,  and  the  com- 
mand he  has  laid  upon  all  Christians  to 
love  one  another— to  increase  and  abound 


AFTER  THE  COMMUNION.  113 

in  love  one  towards  another,  and 
towards  all  men.  It  has  already  been 
shown,  what  line  of  conduct  must  be 
pursued  towards  the  poor  of  Christ's 
flock.  We  must  indeed  "  do  good  to 
all  men,  but  especially  to  all  who  are 
of  the  household  of  faith,''  remember- 
ing, and  copying  in  an  humble  measure, 
**the  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  who, 
though  he  was  rich  yet  for  our  sakes 
became  poor,  that  we  through  his  pov- 
erty might  be  rich." 

The  forgiveness  of  injuries,  and  a 
meek,  quiet  and  generous  spirit  towards 
all  men,  have  been  affectingly  inculcated 
by  the  exhibition  of  that  disinterested 
love  of  Jesus  to  his  enemies,  and  of  the 
forgiveness  of  sins,  through  the  shed- 
ding of  his  blood,  which  has  been  this 
day  commemorated.  Have  my  own 
great  sins  against  him  been  freely  and 
generously  forgiven  ?  How,  then,  can 
I  refuse  to    forgive   the   comparatively 

8 


114  AFTER  THE  COMMUNION. 

trifling  sins  of  my  fellow  men  against 
myself  ? 

10.  Let  the  scenes  of  to-day — sym- 
bolizing the  Marriage  Supper  of  the 
Lamb — lead  me  to  think  more  often 
and  more  eagerly  of  Heaven  and  its  su- 
perior  fellowships  and  joys  ;  and  let  the 
larger  hope  of  Heaven  now  inspired, 
lead  me  to  seek  increasing  purity  of 
heart  and  life,  that  I  may  thus  be  the 
sooner  and  the  better  fitted  to  eat  bread 
in  the  kino-dom  of  God. 


Let  us  go  hence ! 
The  new  Jerusalem 
Like  a  resplendent  gem, 
Sends  down  its  heavenly  light, 
Attracting  our  dull  sight. 
I  see  the  bright  ones  wait 
At  each  fair  pearly  gate ; 
I  hear  their  voices  call ; 
I  see  the  jasper  wall. 
The  clear  transparent  gold. 
The  glory  all  untold ! 


AFTER   THE  COMMUNION.  115 

Let  us  go  hence  ! 
What  are  earth's  joys  and  gems, 
"What  are  its  diadems  ? 
Our  crowns  are  waiting  us 
Within  our  Father's  house. 
Our  friends  above  the  skies 
Are  bidding  us  arise  ; 
Our  Lord  calls  us  away 
To  scenes  of  sweeter  day 
Than  this  sad  earth  can  know. 
Let  us  arise  and  go ! 

BONAR. 

11.  I  am,  even  now,  to  begin  that 
'preparation  for  a  subsequent  communion 
which  consists  in  a  spiritual,  godly,  and 
useful  manner  of  livinor.  A  Christ-like 
temper  and  life,  is  to  be  habitually 
sought  and  practised,  in  fulfillment  of 
vows  and  obligations  to  my  Lord  and 
Master.  Then  shall  I  be  better  pre- 
pared than  by  any  other  process,  for 
another  walk  to  the  Communion  Ta- 
ble. 

12.  I  have  seen  that  it  is  our  Saviour's 
great  desire  to  be  held  in  remembrance, 


116  AFTER  THE  COMMUNION. 

that  lie  may  be  known,  regarded,  fol- 
lowed, obeyed,  and  thus  honored.  It 
seems  to  me,  then,  to  be  a  very  obvious 
duty,  ever  and  in  all  places,  to  exert 
myself,  by  word,  and  deed,  to  place 
Christ  before  the  minds,  and  to  commend 
him  to  the  affectionate  and  reverential 
regard  of  my  fellow-men,  not  only  on  His 
account — from  what  is  obviously  due  to 
Him  as  the  Saviour  and  the  Sovereign 
of  the  world — but  for  their  sakes  as 
well;  since  only  in  the  knowledge  and 
love  and  service  of  Him  standeth  eter- 
nal life,  for  them  as  well  as  for  me. 

As  then  I  would  honor  my  Saviour; 
as  I  would  carry  out  the  true  and  com- 
prehensive purpose  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per; as  I  would  show  love  to  my  fellow- 
men,  who  must  perish  if  they  forget,  or 
turn  away  from  Christ;  and  as  I  w^ould 
fulfil  my  covenant  vows,  let  me  consider 
it  my  daily  vocation,  to  do  something 
towards  increasing  the  number  of  Christ's 


AFTER  THE  COMMUNION.  117 

true  followers  and  subjects,  and  thus  to 
swell  the  number  of  those  who  shall 
honor  Christ,  by  making  their  way,  with 
humble,  penitent,  grateful,  and  happy 
souls,  on  tlie  Communion  Sabbath  to 
the  Table  of  the  Lord. 


Toil  on,  faint  not,  keep  Tratch  and  pray ; 

Be  wise,  the  erring  soul  to  win ; 
Go  forth  into  the  world's  highway, 

Compel  the  wanderer  to  come  in. 


Make  haste,  0  man,  to  do 
Whatever  must  be  done ; 

Thou  hast  no  time  to  lose  in  sloth, 
Thy  day  will  soon  be  gone. 
Make  haste,  0  man,  to  live ! 

The  useful,  not  the  great. 
The  thing  that  never  dies ; 

The  silent  toil  that  is  not  lost, 
Set  thou  before  thine  eyes. 
Make  haste,  0  man,  to  live  ! 


118  AFTER    THE  C03IMU^'I0N. 

The  seed  whose  leaf  and  flower, 
Though  poor  in  human  sight. 

Brings  forth  at  last  the  eternal  fruit, 
Sow  then  by  day  and  night. 
Make  haste,  0  man,  to  live  ! 

BONAR. 

And  now,  in  the  well-chosen  words  of 
the  Eev.  Dr.  Gumming,  of  London,  I 
will  bring  towards  a  close  the  private 
exercises  of  this  blessed  Communion 
Sabbath : 

praijer 

AFTER    THE    COMMUNION. 


O  Lord,  I  thank  Thee  for  the  mercies 
and  privileges  of  a  Communion  day  : 
for  its  peace  and  joy.  May  the  truths 
I  have  heard,  the  impressions  I  have  felt, 
the  blessings  I  have  reaped,  abide  in  my 
soul  through  life.  Leaning  on  Thee,  I 
go  forth  into  the  world,  beseeching  Thee 


AFTER  THE  COMMUNION.  119 

to  strengthen,  uphold,  and  keep  me  in 
the  way  of  life.  May  the  precious  blood 
of  the  Lamb  of  God  be  still  my  only 
trust,  as  it  is  the  only  atonement.  May 
the  righteousness  of  Him  who  Avas  made 
sin  for  us,  be  my  righteousness  still. 
May  I  ever  hold  fast  the  blessed  hope 
of  everlasting  life,  which  thou  hast  given 
me  in  Christ  Jesus.  ^lay  I  run  with 
fresh  joy  and  renewed  strength  the  race 
set  before  me,  looking  to  Jesus  the  Au- 
thor and  Finisher  of  my  faith. 

May  thy  Holy  Spirit  help  me  to  abhor 
that  which  is  evil,  and  to  cleave  to  that 
which  is  good.  May  I  be  kindly  affec- 
tioned  to  others  with  brotherly  love,  in 
honor  preferring  others.  May  I  not  be 
slothful  in  business.  May  I  be  fervent 
in  spirit;  serving  the  Lord;  rejoicing  in 
hope;  patient  in  tribulation;  distribu- 
ting to  the  necessity  of  saints;  given  to 
hospitality.  May  I  bless  them  who  per- 
secute me,  may  I  bless  and  curse  not. 


120  AFTER  THE  COMMUNION. 

May  I  rejoice  with  them  that  do  rejoice, 
and  weep  with  them  that  weep.  May 
my  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they, 
seeing  my  good  works,  may  glorify  Thee 
my  Father  in  heaven.  May  I  never  be 
the  unhappy  occasion  of  any  one  dishon- 
oring my  Lord,  or  of  obstructing  the 
spread  of  the  gospel. 

May  the  peace  that  passeth  under- 
standing keep  my  mind  and  heart  in  the 
love  and  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus. 
Deliver  me  from  all  evil,  O  Lord. 

May  grace,  and  mercy,  ard  peace, 
from  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost — 
one  God — be  with  me  and  abide  with 
me  forever.  May  goodness  and  mercy 
follow  me  all  the  days  of  my  life,  and 
may  I  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord 
forever. 

In  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  bes;  for 
these,  and  yet  greater  and  richer  bless- 
ings. 

Unto   Him   that  is   able  to   keep  me 


AFTER  THE  COMMUNION.  a2l 

from  falling,  and  to  present  rae  faultless 
before  the  presence  of  his  glory  with 
exceeding  joy — to  the  only  wise  God  our 
Saviour,  be  glory  and  majesty,  dominion 
and  power,  now  and  forever. 

The  God  of  peace,  that  brought  again 
from  the  dead  our  Lord  Jesus,  that 
great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  through 
the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant 
make  me  perfect  in  every  good  work  to 
do  his  will,  working  in  me  that  which 
is  well-pleasing  in  his  sight,  through 
Jesus  Christ;  to  whom  be  glory  forever 
and  ever.     Amen. 


122  AFTER  THE  COMMUNION. 

Lord,  may  the  spirit  of  this  Feast — 
The  earnest  of  Thy  love — 

Maintain  a  dwelling  in  our  breast, 
Until  we  meet  above. 

The  healing  sense  of  pardoned  sin, 
The  hope  that  never  tires, 

The  strength  a  pilgrim's  race  to  win, 
The  joy  that  heaven  inspires. 

Still  may  their  light  our  duties  trace 
In  lines  of  hallowed  flame. 

Like  that  upon  the  Prophet's  face, 
When  from  the  mount  he  came. 

But  if  no  more  with  kindred  dear. 
The  broken  bread  we  share. 

Nor  at  the  banquet-board  appear 
To  breathe  the  grateful  prayer; — 

Forget  us  not — when  on  the  bed 

Of  dire  disease  we  waste. 
Or  to  the  chambers  of  the  dead, 

And  bar  of  judgment  haste. 

Forget  not — Thou  who  bore  the  woe 
Of  Calvary's  fatal  tree, — 

Those  who  within  these  courts  below 
Have  thus  remembered  Thee. 

Mrs.  Sigouenet 


THE   END. 


DATE  DUE 

afeP**^5*?^¥^^E^I^ 

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i=^: 

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DEMCO  38-297 

